John Boyega Still Not a Reylo Fan: A Deep Dive into the Contentious Kiss and its Aftermath

The release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 was less a cinematic event and more a cultural flashpoint. While the film attempted to tie up loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga, it instead ignited a firestorm of debate among fans, the embers of which still glow brightly today. One of the most contentious moments, the kiss between Rey and Kylo Ren, continues to be a source of passionate discussion, even years later.

For a specific segment of the fanbase, the "Reylo shippers," the kiss was a moment of triumph, a validation of their long-held belief that the two characters were destined for romance. However, this victory was bittersweet, quickly followed by the tragic demise of Kylo Ren, who dissolved into the Force mere seconds after the embrace. The swiftness of his departure left many feeling cheated, as if the film had dangled the prospect of a Reylo future only to snatch it away at the last moment.

Now, six years after that divisive kiss, actor John Boyega, who played Finn in the sequel trilogy, has once again weighed in on the matter. Speaking at C2E2, Boyega reaffirmed his stance that Finn would not have been a fan of Rey’s relationship with Kylo Ren.

During a Q&A session with Josh Horowitz, Boyega responded to a question from a Reylo fan about how Finn and Poe Dameron might have reacted to Rey’s relationship with Kylo Ren (formerly Ben Solo) had he survived the film’s ending. Before offering his opinion, Boyega took a moment to frame the dynamic between Rey and Kylo from the perspective of someone not deeply invested in the Star Wars universe. This allowed him to approach the issue with a degree of detachment and objectivity.

Boyega then delivered a firm "no" to the idea of Finn supporting the relationship. He explained his reasoning with a frankness and humor that resonated with many. "I mean look, ladies in the room – straight ladies in the room – when he is pursuing you, him trying to kill you is not a part of the romance, okay." Boyega’s comment drew laughter and applause from the audience, highlighting the absurdity of romanticizing a relationship built on violence and conflict.

He continued, "Chasing him and saying, ‘We can become something powerful,’ I’m there like, ‘I wouldn’t tell my sisters to do that.’" Boyega’s analogy underscored the potential harm of romanticizing abusive relationships, suggesting that Rey’s pursuit of Kylo, despite his actions, sent a problematic message.

Boyega did acknowledge the spiritual element of Star Wars, recognizing that Rey’s actions stemmed from her belief in the good within Kylo. "But that kind of reflects off of the spiritual element to Star Wars – the fact that she recognized the good and was fighting for it." However, he maintained that, from Finn’s perspective, the relationship was fundamentally flawed. "But if I was Finn there, Finn should’ve had a line where he’d say, ‘Girl, leave him be. Come home with me.’"

This isn’t the first time Boyega has voiced his opinion on the Reylo kiss. In 2020, he commented on an Instagram post that jokingly suggested a romantic entanglement between Rey and Finn, hinting at a relationship similar to what was initially hinted at in The Force Awakens. While Boyega’s comment was made in jest, it was a refreshingly candid moment in a franchise where actors often seem constrained by public relations.

However, Boyega’s innocuous comment was met with vitriolic backlash from certain corners of the Star Wars fandom. Some fans interpreted the joke as jealousy over Rey’s relationship with Kylo Ren, accusing Boyega of being resentful that Finn didn’t end up with Rey. This reaction highlights the often-toxic nature of online fandom, particularly towards actors of color.

Interestingly, Boyega’s recent remarks come a year after Daisy Ridley, who played Rey, shared her own thoughts on the Reylo kiss. In an interview on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ridley revealed that the kiss was a part of the film’s reshoots. She also described the kiss as a fitting farewell to the franchise (at the time) that felt earned.

"I felt like we all… it felt earned, and what was interesting [was the] intentionality. My feeling in that moment was that it was a goodbye, so that felt earned," Ridley told Collider. "Because, I mean, you could call a kiss a thousand things, but I felt like it was a goodbye, and that whole scene felt so emotional. I felt like I was saying goodbye to the job."

Ridley’s perspective offers a different interpretation of the kiss, framing it as a symbolic farewell rather than a romantic declaration. Her comments highlight the complexities of the scene and the various ways in which it can be interpreted.

The ongoing debate surrounding the Reylo kiss underscores the passionate investment that fans have in the Star Wars franchise. Whether fans loved or loathed the kiss, it undeniably left a lasting impact on the narrative and continues to fuel discussions about the characters and their relationships.

Looking ahead, fans can anticipate Rey Skywalker’s return to the Star Wars universe in a new film trilogy, where she will undertake the ambitious task of rebuilding the Jedi Order. However, the project is currently facing challenges, including the need for a finalized script and a cohesive vision. The film, directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, remains in the early stages of development, with significant work still required before it can reach the screen.