When John Boyega was cast in the lead role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there was some surprise. At the time, Boyega was somewhat known in the UK for Attack the Block, but there was a feeling that he wasn’t very well known outside the UK. He was also very young and very not-white. Because social media and internet commenting often veers to the lowest common denominator, there was an online “backlash” against Boyega’s casting, mostly based on the fact that JJ Abrams cast a black man as a stormtrooper or some kind of Star Wars hero? Something like that. I’ll admit to not being very well-versed in racist internet reactions. Anyway, Boyega has a feature in the new issue of V Magazine, which you can see here. He chats about the backlash & how amazing it was to be cast in Star Wars, etc. Some highlights:
The casting process took seven months: “Disney is a four-billion-pound company. They wanted to make sure they got the right person for the job. I learned that I got the part over a nice breakfast in Mayfair. J.J. said, ‘John, you’re the new star of Star Wars,’ and everything froze for a moment.”
Meeting Harrison Ford: “He has that knowledge and it’s beautiful to watch. He has a great balance between the artistic and technical elements of acting, which is what it’s all about. He told me about his career and his house. I realized that I probably couldn’t relate to him about finances because he’s on another level.”
His character, Finn: “[He’s] in conflict, mostly with himself and also with the powers” but is tight-lipped about why this conflict exists, or which powers he means for that matter—the Force? Asked what would happen if he was to say, he jokes that Abrams would fly a robotic helicopter overhead and he’d disappear from Hollywood forever. “I’d literally be a regular on [British soap opera] EastEnders after that.”
Finn has a unique narrative. “We’ve seen him in the Stormtrooper outfit and his own clothes. Why is that?” The answer, he says, is “very surprising… J.J. will send me YouTube clips of fans reacting to things online and it’s funny. The fans have no idea. It’s great they are talking, but nobody has a clue.”
On the racist trolls: “It was unnecessary. I’m in the movie, what are you going to do about it? You either enjoy it or you don’t. I’m not saying get used to the future, but what is already happening. People of color and women are increasingly being shown on-screen. For things to be whitewashed just doesn’t make sense.”
He doesn’t want to play stereotype minority characters: “All the films I’ve done have had a secret commentary on stereotypical mentalities. It’s about getting people to drop a prejudiced state of mind and realize, ‘Oh sh-t we’re just watching normal people.’”
Growing up in an area of London heavily associated with gangs: “People write about how I grew up opposite where Damilola Taylor was stabbed… As if that’s my story. Absolute nonsense. I spent most of my time dancing and acting. Guns and knives mean nothing to me. I had a multicultural society to take advantage of. I worked hard and ended up where I am today.”
Mentored by Robert Downey Jr.: “I’m being mentored by Robert Downey Jr. at the moment. He’s helped me prepare for how my life is going to change and that has been inspiring. I’m talking to someone who understands the power of choices, both positive and negative.”
Mentored by RDJ? I don’t know you guys… that could actually end badly? I’d like to see Boyega thrive and be a huge movie star and everything, but the charm of English actors is that they – more so than American actors – just follow the work. They tend to have less of an ego about their careers. Boyega is only 23 and in all likelihood, he’s about to become one of the biggest stars on the planet once The Force Awakens comes out. I hope he’s able to keep his head on straight (and I’m not sure RDJ is the one to help him do just that).
Photos courtesy of V Magazine, WENN.
“I’m in the movie. What are you going to do about it?” Is THEEEEE best response I’ve heard to the trolls. I don’t know him but I like him already.
It’s great. If he added, “And I’m getting paid a lot of money; what are you getting for your time?” that would be the icing on the cake.
He has the right attitude, people can hate, but they’re not him so they should probably shush it
I like quote about people need to get used to the future, POCs are not taking anything sitting down.
Being mentored by RDJ actually could be a good thing. He’s seen the dark side of fame himself…who better to caution you to hold onto what you value than someone that’s hit rock bottom and fought his way back?
RDJ has seen the dark side of hollywood plus he is an amazing actor so Boyega could do worse.
All of the above plus he can introduce Boyega to the same people that negotiated his absurd contract with Marvel lol.
+100 Alex I don’t see an issue with RDJ mentoring him. RDJ has been through it and seen it all. He can warn him of the dark side of stardom and Hollywood. It’s good to know someone who has gone down that road. Some people just let their disdain for R get in their way.
BTW this young actor is making me excited for Star Wars and I have never been a big fan of the franchise.
Regardless of his personal flaws, RDJ is also a very savvy businessman. He knows how to sell himself along with his films. Not a bad mentor at all if you’re careful to avoid the same pitfalls.
“People write about how I grew up opposite where Damilola Taylor was stabbed… As if that’s my story. Absolute nonsense. I spent most of my time dancing and acting. Guns and knives mean nothing to me. I had a multicultural society to take advantage of. I worked hard and ended up where I am today.”
While I didn’t grow up around gangs, low income housing, etc……I definitely identify with this bit. A feeling of people thinking that I’m an anomaly because I’m black/biracial and I like Jane Austen, for instance. A feeling of YOU’RE NOT REALLY BLACK….because…..
I know exactly how you feel. I was bullied so much in school for stuff like that, called awful names and pushed around to the point where I almost did suicide. Just because I had a variety of interests outside of what was expected for a black woman.
ETA: Looking forward to seeing this amazing young man in the new Stars Wars movie. I hope he’s successful.
Every one of us should love themselves for who they are. I took that example of myself for the past five years. People will hate of no apparent reason, maybe because of jealousy or pride. Don’t deal with those people and move with the people who loves you wholeheartedly. Bodega is a great example of not letting those idiots get to you. I’m proud of him.
Virgilia – I liked that bit, too. I think he was also trying to point out that you can come from a rough area (that’s what we call them in the UK!) and your success NOT be a story of coming through dreadful adversity. You can just be NORMAL. Although I’m white, I’ve lived in a few rough areas in London and I can really identify with what he said, too. The same physical location can be parallel worlds in the way different social subgroups within it live their lives (I don’t mean racial groups; I just mean the type of person you are and the things you like to do). It doesn’t have to be “I was in a gang but I had no choice” or “I wasn’t in a gang but avoiding it meant heroic dangerous resistance on my part” – it can just be “I just jogged along, doing my thing. had nothing to do with that stuff, and now here I am”.
Boyega is from the same area as my boyfriend, when i was a kid in the 90s peckham had a terrible reputation, really rough.
I agree with what he says but on some level its to do with being raised right, even if you aren’t from an area of privilege your parents can instil good values in you. A lot of kids don’t have that though. They don’t have a good parental or adult figure in their life. They are just too vulnerable.
Peckham has changed a lot though, these days its the new hipster and artist haven after shoredicth got infiltrated by young professionals and marketing executives.
Yes, that’s exactly how I see myself. I didn’t grow up in a bad neighborhood. My parents aren’t rich, but I never went without food, clothes, toys. The only thing that makes me stand out is the fact that I am black/biracial. And that’s really based on where I live–a lot of white people, my age, that seem to think that if you’re black then you’ve lived in the ghetto (seriously, I’ve been asked that).
Leah – yes, sorry. To do with the “type” of you and the “type” of family too. Geographic location doesn’t have to be the one push or pull factor either destroying your life or being the force behind your success, is what I mean.
When we were saving for our first deposit on a house, Mr Sixer took a weekend job in a minicab company around the corner from where we were renting. It was a crappy area but we were just wandering along, doing our thing, unaffected by crime or anything like that. But the minicab company saw every bit of that area – good, bad and bloody awful. That’s what I mean by “parallel world” – all this stuff was going on under the community’s noses and the vast majority of them – including us – had absolutely no idea. Mr Sixer got his eyes opened.
People think rough areas must be war zones involving everyone living in them. But they really are not.
Virgilia – that must be tooth-grindingly annoying, it really must.
John boyega calls out daily telegraph journalist on misleading, inaccurate stereotypes:
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/95494853.html
I am so happy for Boyega, he is such a talent and its just nice to see a young black british actor coming up. He doesnt get as much attention as his white contemporaries in this country but hopefully this is about to change.
If you had asked me which black British actor was going to be cast in Star Wars, I would have said Ashley Walters. I really like Walters but he’s doing ok, so I am chuffed for Boyega too.
@sixer
John boyega is way younger, 23 vs Ashley at 33, they aren’t in the same casting age range.
Truth be told boyega is more talented imao.
They look the same age.
In acting it’s about the age you look vs the age you are.
See: Margot Robbie. She frequently plays characters much older than her years and she gets away with it because she looks older.
In casting they look to 18-30 when thinking about casting in the late teens and twenties.
I think Walters has a baby face! But I agree, Boyega is a huge talent.
HMPH
I know what you are saying in general but honestly can’t say I agree. I watch top boy Walters doesn’t look 22.No way. He looks late 20s-to early 30 imo. And he has that raspy voice that sounds mature.
Btw boyega is cast in the circle with Tom hanks next. His character is an internet wiz kid. Walters cant play that young imo.
First of all the casting process took 7 months, this suggests they had seen more less every actor in that age range uk and stateside. You don’t know that they didn’t audition Walters too. They may very well have done.
Secondly even if one accepts the idea that they could operate within the same age range. Does that mean that their casting selection is the same?
Would you cast Tom hardy and Tom hiddleston in the same parts just because they happen to fall within the same age range?
Ashley Walters is a rapper who became an actor, he’s cultivated a tough guy image, operates largely within a genre of Gangland movies. Walters himself says he’s profited from playing up this image.
John boyega on the other hand is a stage school kid who resents the very image Walters have cultivated.
The only thing they have in common is they are both black.
I meant that I think John looks older, like 29-30 at least.
Anyway, for me it doesn’t matter so long as the acting is good. And he seems to be a good actor.
I like the response. Seriously. What are the trolls going to do? Boycott it. Okay. That’ll really hit Disney in the ol’ pocketbook.
Its raining somewhere.
I don’t know who he is and I have no interest in Star Wars but he’s got the right attitude.
I don’t care about Star wars either but hes also filming the new Tom Hanks movie. He’s massive talent, see “Attack the block”. New brit coming up!
Anyone who has seen Attack The Block should know he is more than capable in handling this role. He was fantastic in that movie.
The shitfits have been DELICIOUS! And also said shitfit and the about turn to cast Women and POC on this pretty much speak to me as to why I saw NOTHING for them Star Wars movies before (besides seeing them as an adult and them being interminable and reading…Old..God Those Cuttaways!?!) You mean to tell me that you can have entire GALAXIES, races of people, aliens, but the Bridge too far is having more than one token black/woman per Movie?!? Like THAT is where imagination stops?!? lol whatevs but awesome for J.J for going hard off the paint on not casting Lily White in 2015
His response is great to the trolls. He is currently filming The Circle opposite Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. Hanks would also make another great mentor for him as well.
Please, please, please stay this level headed.
Very talented actor! He sounds likes gracious down to earth human being too. Props!
Ah now, he’s one to watch I think. Loved Attack the Block and I’m looking forward to Star Wars and seeing what his new character is all about. Can I just also say he has a fantastic smile and I loved his response to all those twitter trolls.
“he’s about to become one of the biggest stars on the planet once The Force Awakens comes out.”
We don’t know that for sure. The Force Awakens could be another dud. He might not be a star. Disney has been keeping it under wraps for too long. I don’t get what they are so secretive about, I don’t think that is a good sign. And anyone remember Hayden Christenen ? He was supposed to become a star after Episodes II and III and look how that turned out.
You are obviously not familiar with this guys work. He’s s good actor who have appeared on stage and screen here in the UK. He was at the prestigious national theatre a few years ago. The Hayden Christensen comparison is not a good one.
You are right I have never seen him act, but that still doesn’t mean he will become a huge star because of SW. I compared him to HC because HC was suppose to become the next big thing just like how John Boyega and Daisy Ridly are supposed to become now. Episodes 7,8 and 9 could be another version of the prequels that everybody loves to hate on. We don’t know for sure how good this movie is. I personally was not impressed by the 2 small trailers they have released so far.
And you clearly are ignorant, because HC does have talent and can act. Hayden C has talent, good looks and everything to become a star but he didn’t. John’s chances are even slimmer because he is not very good looking and is of a minority background too. Daisy Ridly is also not very pretty like how Natalie Portman was either. I highly doubt John or Daisy will become huge stars because of SW.
JJ Abrams is notorious for attempting to keep his movies as secret as possible (it backfired on him with Cumberbatch’s role in Star Trek:Into Darkness). Honestly the only star that Star Wars made, so far, is Harrison Ford. Mark Hamill and Carrie Fischer’s careers didn’t take off after those movies either. Ewan Mc Gregor and Natalie Portman were stars on the rise when the second trilogy came around.
John Boyega has all the right ingredients to be a star: young, fresh faced, talented, down to earth…time will tell if Star Wars will give him a Harrison Ford-esque career. It seems like it will.
I’ve only seen Boyega in a small role in the 24 miniseries that aired last year. His part was underwritten and his character disappeared after a couple of episodes.
Star Wars has proven to be a very dangerous for one’s career. Both Portman and McGregor were widely mocked for their performances.
To be fair, we should atleast know what the movie is about somewhat. The official trailer has not even come out and the movies comes out in 2 months. I think Disney has a dud on their hands and is hiding it.
Yeah I don’t think John Boyega will have a Harrsion Ford type career. Keep in mind that Ford was working on a bunch of other famous movies like the Indiana Jones trilogy when he doing the original SW backs in the 70s and 80s. What other movies is John Boyega filming at the moment? He is barely working other then SW. Ford is also handsome whereas John isn’t. He will struggle I think along with Daisy Ridly.
Excellent casting choice. He’s in the biggest franchise in the world and seems way more grounded than other up and comers like miles “ego” Tellier and Michael b. “females” Jordan .
So far I loooove all the casting choices and can’t wait!
There were people in this day and age who took an issue with a black actor being cast in Star Wars?
I really want to meet one of them just to understand how their mind works. I don’t get it.
Go him. Let the racists pout and whine. There are so many of them on the Internet, but they would never have the guts to be so openly racist in person around minorities. Why care so much about color? And in the Star Wars universe they suddenly want rules on how you are supposed to look? It is laughable. If they can’t empathize with a person in a movie just because they are black, that is their problem.
Yeah, they can accept the cantina scene, they can accept Samuel J as a Jedi Master, but a black stormtrooper is where they draw the line? The inside of their heads must be very scary. And they are missing the heart of speculative fiction.
Probably because storm troopers are clones of Jango Fett, Who isn’t black.
I wish him well in the role and will definitely watch it but some people who would prefer someone else are not racist they just like characters to stay as they are written originally although undoubtedly there are a ton who just don’t like it because he’s black with no thought to the actual character.
You can’t clone actors. Unless you want to cast the original guys son, you are not going to get someone who looks like a clone.
7 months is a gruelling long audition process. It suggest jj Abrams saw many, many actors and felt boyega was the best one.
He would want to cast someone who can embody the characters qualities, a good actor, rather than purely focus on lookalikes.
Jj Abrams cast benedict cumberbatch in a part which was originally written as an Asian man. Whitening up happens often its relatively uncommon that a black steals a white guys part. It seems petty and possibly racist to make complaints.