Overview

• John Boyega revealed he had only £45 in his bank account when J.J. Abrams personally informed him of his casting as Finn in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.'
• The pivotal moment occurred during an impromptu meeting at a London restaurant, marking a life-changing turning point in Boyega's career.
• Boyega described the casting announcement as surreal, with co-writer Lawrence Kasdan telling him, 'This movie's gonna change your life.'
• Reflecting on his time in the franchise, Boyega has been vocal about his discontent with how his character and broader diversity issues were handled by Disney.
• He continues to use his platform to critique Hollywood's approach to representation, framing his casting as both a personal milestone and a lens into systemic inequities.