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John Boyega Calls Out Racism in Star Wars and Hollywood's Lack of Representation

In a new documentary, Boyega critiques systemic challenges for actors of color and reflects on his transformative, yet fraught, Star Wars experience.

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John Boyega attends the premiere of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" on Dec. 16, 2019.
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Overview

  • John Boyega criticized Star Wars fans for their resistance to Black actors in leading roles, describing the franchise as 'the most whitest, elite space.'
  • He highlighted how some fans justify minimal diversity by pointing to a few Black characters, which he likened to 'scattered' representation.
  • Boyega reiterated his critique of Disney for sidelining his character, Finn, after marketing him as a co-lead in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
  • The actor noted disparities in the depth and nuance given to white characters, compared to characters of color, in the franchise.
  • Despite his criticisms, Boyega acknowledged his Star Wars casting as a life-changing moment in his career, sharing personal anecdotes about the experience.