Ten years after his debut in “Star Wars,” John Boyega commented on the reception and the racist attacks he received when he was announced as the lead in the franchise.
In the documentary “Number One on the Call Sheet,” which details the experience of Black actors and actresses who have been protagonists in Hollywood, John Boyega opened up about the racist reception he received when joining “Star Wars.”
Boyega played Finn, a stormtrooper who leaves the First Order to join the Resistance. He portrayed Finn in the franchise’s sequel trilogy, which began in 2015 with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Upon being cast in the role, John Boyega was attacked with racist comments from various “Star Wars” fans. He spoke out about his unpleasant experience.
“This is such a white franchise that the mere existence of a Black person already had an impact,” he noted.
He criticized the argument that the films had already featured Samuel L. Jackson and Billy Dee Williams, both Black actors.
“That’s like telling me how many chocolate chips are in a cookie dough. I’m like, ‘They just threw that in there, man!'” he said.
In a 2020 interview with Esquire magazine, John Boyega commented that he was “the only cast member who had a unique experience in this franchise because of the color of his skin.”
“What I would say to Disney is: don’t put a Black character in the franchise, do massive marketing as if he is very important, and then push him aside. That’s not right. I’m going to say it straight,” Boyega said.
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