The Force Awakens: Finn's Identity

For those who know me well, you know that I am a bit of a Star Wars fanatic (holds up sarcasm sign).  So, I'd like to take a moment to say "May the 4th be with you" and to share a few observations I made while re-watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as a few theories I have regarding the story line moving forward. WARNING: IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE MOVIE, STOP READING NOW.  SERIOUS SPOILERS AHEAD...

I know quite a few old school Star Wars fans were disappointed in some of the repeating themes in this movie.  It was quite a nod to Star Wars Episodes IV-VI to the point where many said that it just felt like the three movies smashed into one.  I won't disagree with the criticism that it was a bit redundant on some points (e.g. A droid carrying secret plans, a larger version of a Death Star, and an orphan growing up  on a desert planet, who almost certainly a Skywalker, who poses a great threat to the First Order and the dark side of the force).  However, I think we are in for a few twists which will center around, not Rey, but Finn.

It would be a shocker if Rey was not a Skywalker.  I mean, it couldn't be more obvious and to remain true to the Star Wars universe, she needs to be.  The prophecy was that there would be one to bring balance to the force, and the Emperor always knew that if Skywalker were to have any offspring, they would be a threat to him.  Snoke is facing the same threat that killed his predecessor, Emperor Palpatine, the offspring of Anakin Skywalker.  Anakin did not bring balance to the force, despite his best efforts, Luke has not been able to either.  The Force will eventually find balance in the battle between Leia Skywalker's son (Kylo Ren - fully embodying the dark side of the force) and Luke Skywalker's daughter (Rey - fighting to restore the light side of the force).  All this to say, Rey being Luke's daughter seems almost inevitable.  Which leaves us with one mystery character - Finn.

Now, the first conclusion that old school Star Wars fans will jump to is that he is the son of Lando Calrissian.  I mean, there weren't exactly a lot of black characters in the series.  If we are deducing his relation based solely on characters previously introduced in the movies with the same skin color, then, on the surface, Calrissian seems a given.  Some also propose that he could be the decendent of Master Mace Windu, but he couldn't be Mace Windu's son because he is way too young, maybe his grandson, but I find it doubtful that Windu had a spouse or relationship because it was forbidden and he followed the rules of the order.  Also, Finn doesn't appear to strong with the force as some have suggested.  He is good with weapons because he was trained to be, not because he was born with an innate understanding of the force as Rey was. 

My wild theory is this.  Finn is neither a Calrissian nor a Windu, he is the offspring of.... wait for it...

Han Solo.  

Wait, what? How is this possible you ask?  Well, I'm not going to go into the birds and the bees in this article, but you may recall that one of the words used to describe the young Solo was "scoundrel."  Sure, he turned into decent guy after he met the Skywalkers, but having another son is not much of a stretch.  In fact, in the Marvel Star Wars comic books, it was revealed that Han Solo had a wife he didn't tell Leia about, and get this, she is black!

Okay, so this is the Marvel comic books and not necessarily tied to the movies, but are there clues in The Force Awakens that lead to this conclusion as well?  I say, yes.  I respect J.J. Abrams as a writer and I think he enjoys messing with peoples' heads while leaving a trail of bread crumbs to the truth.  First, are there any similarities between Han Solo and Finn? How about these:

• Finn ends up on the good side really by accident.  He obviously has some good in him, but his true desire is to save his own neck (sound familiar).  This is evidenced in his saving Poe Dannon because he needed a pilot.  
• At Maa's place, Finn decides to run from the First Order instead of fighting what he views as a losing battle.  Before he does, he invites Rey (Luke's offspring) to go with him.  Rey chides him for his choice and Finn tells her to take care of herself.  Sound familiar again? This is all very reminiscent of Solo's conversation with Luke in Episode IV when Han decides he is not joining the fight against the death star and Luke tells him that he's a good pilot and turning his back on them. 
• Ultimately Finn and Solo do both join the rebellion because of their personal attachment to individuals rather than a cause.  Han swoops in and saves Luke right before Vader shoots him down and Finn leads the mission to disable the shield for the sole reason he wants to save Rey.  
• One last fun comparison.  The leather jacket duo.  Poe makes a point of giving Finn his jacket and said that it suites him.  Leia mention Han's jacket when they finally reunite.  Why would J.J. Abrams make a point of emphasizing jackets?  Because it's just another crumb in the bread trail.  Look at this picture of Han in a white t-shirt and leather jacket and Finn in black t-shirt with leather jacket.  Hmm... like father, like son, perhaps??

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Okay, so those are the fun little nods to familiar similarities that I noticed,  but are there any substantial clues that there is a backstory to Han that we don't know about?  I believe so.  Ben (aka Kylo Ren) has some serious daddy issues and Leia and Han have obviously had a rough relationship.  Perhaps there is more to this story than just teenage angst gone haywire.  Ben tells Rey that Han would have disappointed her as a father, and is obviously very bitter towards him.  Why?  Perhaps he found out that Han Solo not only had another woman in his life, but had another son as well?  

• Kylo Ren takes notice of Finn during the first battle scene and I wondered why?
• When it is discovered that Poe escapes with a Stormtrooper, Kylo Ren knows immediately which one it was.  Of all the many stormtroopers, why would he have been so intensely interested in FN-2187/ aware of his existence?
• There is something else interesting about Finn.  It is said that all the stormtroopers were trained from birth, but when Finn's picture shows up on a screen about his history it is of an older boy.  Why was he abducted and trained as an older child?  I think it all relates, but my theory is too long to divulge at the moment. 
• Kylo Ren throws two major temper tantrums in the movie.  Once when Kylo Ren finds out that Finn escaped with BB-8 and again when Rey escapes captivity.  Perhaps he is just upset about losing the map, or perhaps he's thinking, "my [insert expletive] family is always screwing up my plans!"  
• Kylo Ren also very hatefully calls Finn a traitor before their short lightsaber duel.  The first time watching the movie, I was intrigued by the veracity of his anger.  But, if Finn is Ben's half-brother and Kylo Ren knows this, he would be more spiteful towards him than he would be towards just another numbered stormtrooper.   

All the clues I listed above have me fairly convinced that FN-2187 is actually Finn Solo, but there are a couple of external clues to consider too.  

• George Lucas himself is married to a black woman, so the introduction of an interracial couple would also be a nod to him personally. 
• Having this backstory revealed in future episodes would give us the opportunity to enjoy seeing Harrison Ford as Han Solo at least one more time (It's amazing what technology can do.  Just think of the fantastic effects on Alan Rickman when he portrayed a young Severus Snape).
• Finally, to stay true to the heritage of Star Wars, episode VIII needs to have a twist as surprising as Episode V did when it was revealed that Vader was actually Luke's father.  My mom still remembers the shock felt throughout the theater when that fact was revealed.  I think that Finn being revealed as Han's son is going to be the shocker of the this series..

Before I sign off, I have one last theory about Finn to share... I know this is going to tick some of you off, but I am nonetheless 99% sure of what I am about to say.  Finn is gay.  Not only that, but Finn and Poe are going to be the romance story of this series.  I could provide support for this, but I'll save it for another day.  I'll just say, watch The Force Awakens again with this thought, and I think you'll see what I mean.

Now that I've given you plenty to consider, I encourage you to enjoy The Force Awakens with fresh eyes and "May the 4th be with you."