Star Wars Episode IX officially begins production today and John Boyega who plays Finn in Disney’s new Star Wars trilogy posted a photo of himself on Instagram hugging actress and newcomer to the Star Wars franchise Naomi Ackie. The photo reveals a new hairdo for the former First Order Stormtrooper.
Take a look:
It’s unclear what Ackie’s role in the new film that was written by director J.J. Abrams and Chris Terrio will be. Her involvement in the film was announced last week alongside Richard E. Grant who is also a newcomer to the franchise.
It’s clear the posted photo intentionally made sure she was nearly hidden from view. In fact, it would probably be near impossible to determine just exactly who Boyega was hugging if he hadn’t mentioned her by name when posting the photo. Ackie is a relatively unknown much like Boyega was before he was cast in The Force Awakens, although he had made waves with his role as Moses in Attack the Block.
Boyega’s new hairdo seems to confirm the rumors that Star Wars Episode IX will see a significant time jump from the ending of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
What do you make of his new hairdo? Do you like this new look for Finn? What role do you think Ackie will be playing? Will she be fighting with the Resistance or Rebels or whatever they are calling themselves now? Or will she rise up in the ranks of the First Order to aid Kylo Ren and General Hux in hunting down the last remnants of the Resistance?
Star Wars Episode IX is expected to hit theaters sometime in December of 2019.