Warning: The following contains possible spoilers for J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
Ever since the first teaser dropped nearly a year ago, fans have known that John Boyega's Finn was a Stormtrooper (or, at least had Stormtrooper gear) in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Rumors circulated that he had joined The First Order, yet deserted after seeing his unit commit war crimes. This is why Finn is on the run in "The Force Awakens" and why Gwendoline Christie's Captain Phasma is rumored to be hunting him down.
Today comes even further confirmation that Finn is a defector as well as some clarity on his reasons for getting out of dodge. Making Star Wars is reporting that actor Pip Andersen plays Finn's best friend within The First Order, nicknamed "Slip," and that he was killed during an assault on a village. Concept art revealed a bloody handprint on Finn's helmet which was then shown in the teaser trailer.
If true, this would act as yet another reason for Finn to leave The First Order and meet up with the Resistance. Not only would he have come to realize that The First Order is evil, but he would have also seen his best friend killed in action. That would be enough to shake up just about anyone.
Finn's backstory has been a mystery for some time now. Cinelinx claims that the character doesn't remember much of his childhood and that his training with The First Order included lightsaber tests. This would make his rumored journey to becoming a Jedi even more plausible.
Of course, this is all still unconfirmed. However, it does make sense and fits into previous rumors we've heard about Boyega's character in the film. If true, it would explain many of his actions.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will hit theaters on December 18.
