John Boyega isn’t holding back. The Star Wars star, who skyrocketed to fame as Finn in the sequel trilogy, just dropped a jaw-dropping revelation about his time in the galaxy far, far away—and fans are reeling. In a raw new interview, Boyega called the franchise “the whitest” and “most elite space” he’s ever worked in while opening up about the racist backlash that nearly derailed his career.
“Look, I loved being part of Star Wars, but let’s keep it real,” Boyega told The Cosmic Voice this week. “It felt like stepping into a world that wasn’t built for someone like me. The whitest, most ‘elite’ space you could imagine.” The actor, now 32, didn’t mince words as he reflected on the toxic fan response to his groundbreaking role as Finn, one of the saga’s first Black leads. “The racist comments, the death threats—it was relentless. People reduced Finn to a stereotype or a joke, and the studios didn’t do enough to protect us.”
Fans quickly noticed Finn’s diminished role in 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker after his prominent placement in 2015’s The Force Awakens. Boyega hinted that behind-the-scenes politics played a part: “Suddenly, my character felt sidelined. Like they didn’t know what to do with a Black hero.” His frustration echoes co-star Kelly Marie Tran’s experience—she quit social media after racist, sexist trolling over her Star Wars role in 2018.
But Boyega’s revelations have ignited a firestorm online. Supporters flooded Twitter with #ThankYouJohnBoyega, praising his courage. “He carried Finn with heart while facing pure hatred. Hollywood needs to wake up,” one fan tweeted. Others, however, criticized his comments as “ungrateful,” sparking heated debates about diversity in blockbuster films.
Industry insiders are weighing in, too. “John’s speaking a truth many Black actors face,” said filmmaker Ava DuVernay in a retweet. “These franchises profit from diversity but fail to defend their stars.” Meanwhile, Boyega moved forward, producing and starring in gritty indie projects like Breaking and the upcoming Attack the Block 2. “I’m done waiting for change—I’m creating my own lanes now,” he declared.
Will Star Wars learn from this? With new films and shows promising more inclusivity, Boyega’s words are a stark reminder: representation without support isn’t enough. As fans rally behind him, one thing’s clear—this rebellion is just beginning.
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