John Boyega Talks Star Wars: The Force Awakens

John BoyegaDuring a red carpet event the actor spoke with Spinoff Online, discussing how his life changed after being cast in The Force Awakens set, his impressions on JJ Abrams and Harrison Ford, and what has it been like joining the Star Wars family.

 

 

From ComicBookResources:

SPINOFF ONLINE: What’s the experience been like to have all this attention as the buildup is happening? Has it actually altered your life?

 

John Boyega: In terms of my life? In terms of my schedule, yes. I have different things I have to go to. I have to fly to different places. I’m not from here. I’m a Londoner. So I have to fly out to L.A. and all that kind of stuff. So yeah, scheduling has definitely changed. But yesterday, I was on Sunset Boulevard, went for a walk, and no one recognized who I was, so that hasn’t changed yet. So I’m trying to hold onto that as much as possible. I mean, honestly, I decided to ditch the Stormtrooper uniform at home and went in my casual clothes. No one recognized me.

 

SO: What has it been like joining the “Star Wars” family?

 

JB: Well, it’s lovely because it brings me back to a comment that Carrie Fisher said. “We’ve done the ‘Star Wars’ movies, but those young people, they do it faster.” So it’s brilliant to be a part of that group and, honestly, join a family and be a part of this new generation. And hopefully, the moviegoers, they’ll fall in love with Finn and decide to go on this journey with him. It’s going to be interesting to see how it goes.

 

JJ and Finn

SO: In your eyes, what was cool about director J.J. Abrams, especially once you were working with him?

 

JB: I think one of the first things that’s so cool about J.J. is that I met J.J. a few years ago at Bad Robot, and he was right next to Tom Cruise. I saw Tom Cruise walk out. Then I saw J.J. Abrams, and J.J. just goes to me, “You know what, John? I loved you in ‘Attack the Block.’ We’re going to get you some something.” And I was like… [mouth drops open] And four years later, he got me in something. It just happened to be “Star Wars.” So I like that guy.

 

SO: How was working with Harrison Ford, the icon among icons, and getting to know him as a fellow actor?

 

JB: Well, I got to know him as a person, as a human being, and he’s cool. Like, Harrison’s just like, “Are we going to shoot?” He’s perfect. He’s a really, really good guy. We had a great time hanging out.

 

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Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.

Born on April 24, 1980.

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Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

28 thoughts on “John Boyega Talks Star Wars: The Force Awakens

  • September 3, 2015 at 5:39 pm
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    He sounds like a stand up guy. Looking forward to seeing him being a hero in Star Wars.

  • September 3, 2015 at 5:45 pm
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    I’m eager to see John Boyega’s role in the ST and glad to welcome him into the Star Wars universe beside all my other favorite characters/actors. Saw him in ‘Half a yellow Sun’ and thought that was a good film. I just don’t understand the negative reactions out there.

  • September 3, 2015 at 5:45 pm
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    I’m sure he will be a ton better than Ewen McGregor was in Episode 1.

    • September 3, 2015 at 6:03 pm
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      McGregor? No. Christensen? Lloyd? Who couldn’t be better?

      • September 3, 2015 at 7:46 pm
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        Geez, Retro. I love and respect Ewan, but he was an absolute bore in TPM. Complete waste of talent, IMHO.

        Lucas wouldn’t even let Obi-Wan off the ship in Tatooine to cover his own backstory, but Jar Jar got to do all sorts of stuff?!

        • September 3, 2015 at 8:00 pm
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          I’ve always thought it should have been Obi-Wan doing all the work in the TPM like he did in the first draft. McGreggor could have done better with a larger role like he did in the fallowing movies. That’s my take anyway. It was Anakin the ruined the PT for me. Both the character as written and the actors who played him.

        • September 3, 2015 at 8:10 pm
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          umm you cant blame mcgregor for that and he was definitely one of the high points of the PT. attacking mcgregor….nah. he’s awesome

    • September 3, 2015 at 8:01 pm
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      Finn’s last name is Trayvon.

  • September 3, 2015 at 5:46 pm
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    Whilst this will be an awesome movie, I think boyega and co will be able to have a slightly more normal life than ford and co after Star Wars in 77.

    It’s a positive for them I think 🙂

    More movies and “famous” people now than ever before especialky with the reality TV culture and YouTube etc.

    So whilst life might change, it will be nowhere near as profound as the impact Star Wars had on hamill or ford.

    • September 3, 2015 at 6:05 pm
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      Plus stardom now is nothing like what it used to be. With Youtube just about everyone can be a celebrity now.

    • September 3, 2015 at 6:43 pm
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      Yeah definitely. Star Wars was the first huge film franchise of it’s like and created megastars out of those actors, to the extent that their careers on screen plummeted, all besides Ford, probably thanks to jumping straight into another huge franchise with Indy meant he was less type cast as just one character and could continue his career.

      I don’t think these new actors will face quite the stalling in their careers as Hamill and Fisher had.

  • September 3, 2015 at 5:59 pm
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    Not much info, but he seems like a nice guy.

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:02 pm
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    I like this guy, seems like a genuine bloke, and a fan who i so excited to be part of SW. I think he’ll be awesome

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:03 pm
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    Not exactly in-depth, but so far this film and its cast are shaping up to be pretty legit’. Holding all questions to the end of the film.

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:09 pm
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    Gimme trailer…

    • September 3, 2015 at 6:33 pm
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      tomorrow just wait and see

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:09 pm
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    Yoda. 😉

    Seriously. He sounds like a cool guy. I loved that little story about JJ Abrams. Imagine being a nobody and have someone like that coming up to you promising you a career. If JJ was so convinced even years ago, that gives me hope for John being awesome as Finn.

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:22 pm
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    Neat.

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:26 pm
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    Nice piece of a casting for a very interesting character.

  • September 3, 2015 at 6:48 pm
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    I’m really happy about his casting. I personally think he will be fantastic in the role. I could have been Finn! No really… I went to the big open casting in Glasgow, queued for hours to have a 20 second chat and get shown the door, haha, but at least I can feel some weird connection to this for doing so. It was of course 95% a PR exercise but it was still pretty cool to be involved.

    People coming up with one reaching excuse or another to try to dismiss him being in the film just have sour grapes, and quite possibly are just full on racist and far too protective over “their” franchise, and completely lacking an open mind. We should just ignore them.

    I feel far more confident about the future of Star Wars now more than ever with the people involved in making this film. I have hope! Let’s all just wait and see though before we start killing it off before we’ve seen even more than 2 minutes of footage.

  • September 3, 2015 at 7:07 pm
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    Typical hyper-sensitive millennials, er, children.

    • September 3, 2015 at 8:50 pm
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      Typical hyper-sensative OT fans, uh, old people.

  • September 3, 2015 at 7:55 pm
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    Oh grow up!

  • September 3, 2015 at 8:20 pm
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    Is this site just full of shills these days? It seems lately if anyone gives a decenting opinion against Disney they are attacked. People can like star wars and not like what Disney is doing with it. If the rumors and leaks are true then the story has already been leaked (search for Luke and his light saber mcguffin) I’m sorry but that is an idiotic plot.

    • September 3, 2015 at 8:46 pm
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      I don’t see any shills, I just see real Star Wars fans finally getting sick of all the racist crap being posted here by neckbeard fanbois and calling them out. If you think the plot is stupid, that’s one thing and no one would disagree that that’s just your opinion and one you’re entitled too. If you think it’s stupid because it has minorities in it, then you’re a racist and should be called out. The problem is that far too many fanbois are butthurt and are mixing up what might be legitimate criticisms about plot elements with ugly, banal racism. Personally, given how little we know about the movie so far, aside from a million rumors and “leaks” which are far more likely to be BS than not, I think it’s too early to tell whether this movie will be a stinker or not.

      • September 3, 2015 at 8:53 pm
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        Ah, real Star Wars fans – here we go again. Please explain who is true/real SW fan and who isn’t, thanks.

  • September 3, 2015 at 8:39 pm
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    Say good night to your privacy John Boy, because you are big time now.

  • September 24, 2015 at 3:47 pm
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    What i find hilarious is the action figure of Finn looks like Tracey Jordan. I actually thought he was in the movie seeing his action figure on Force Friday…LOL!

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