Boyega On Diversity Issues With “Star Wars”

The “Star Wars” sequel trilogy brought with it some fresh faces to the franchise, from newcomers like Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran to rising young stars like Adam Driver and John Boyega.

With it came plenty of backlash that was arguably first seen with the very first teaser for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” when Boyega’s maskless stormtrooper appeared.

That appearance led to reactions online ranging from excitement to surprise to racist remarks that were one of the earliest signs of what was to come over the next decade from what was later coined by the phrase ‘toxic fandom’.

Now, as part of an interview for the new Apple TV+ original documentary “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood,” Boyega spoke about his time in the “Star Wars” universe and the online harassment he received from fans upset with a Black actor playing a leading role in the franchise. He says (via EW):

“Lemme tell ya, ‘Star Wars’ always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space. It’s a franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something.

You can always tell it’s something when some ‘Star Wars’ fans try to say, ‘Well, we had Lando Calrissian and had Samuel L. Jackson!’ It’s like telling me how many cookie chips are in the cookie dough. It’s like, they just scattered that in there, bro!

They’re okay with us playing the best friend, but once we touch their heroes, once we lead, once we trailblaze, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s just a bit too much! They’re pandering’.”

Boyega previously discussed his grievances with the franchise several years ago, discussing how his character of Finn, who was seemingly the male lead of the first film is essentially sidelined into a supporting character in subsequent movies.

“Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood” is currently available to stream on Apple TV+.

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