• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
AFRIPOL

AFRIPOL

en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Mission Statement
  • Articles
  • Book Review
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

John Boyega : A Nigerian in the biggest movie of the year – STAR WARS

December 15, 2015 by Admin Leave a Comment

Written by Drew Turney – Paper

John Boyega

Playing a lead role in a new Star Wars film is no guarantee of success (Hayden who?), but if any of the new faces in The Force Awakens has the charisma to stick around, it’s John Boyega. A Londoner born to Nigerian parents, Boyega knew he wanted to be an actor when he realized he was no good at soccer — a good thing for us as well as himself. His debut film was Joe Cornish’s 2011 genre mash-up Attack the Block. As villain-turned-hero Moses, Boyega thrilled us and made us laugh, proving that he could kick ass even while surrounded by aliens on the offensive. But his role as AWOL First Order stormtrooper Finn is set to catapult the 23-year-old into the stratosphere. Harrison Ford himself told the young actor that his life would never be the same — but to hear Boyega tell it, he’s taking it all in stride. “I like the camera,” he says. “I mean, I’m a ’90s baby, so I literally grew up with the camera in my face.”

He spoke to PAPER in Los Angeles about the role and the oncoming media onslaught, but he wouldn’t say what his next project is (a hint in itself?).

Are you thinking about the darker side of fame now that you’re on the cusp of it?

Oh, the darker side I’m thinking about is Adam Driver in that suit.
I’m about the movie, I’m about the process, I’m about the people, and I didn’t come into this by myself. I came into this with a fantastic team, with family, with friends, with obviously everybody at Disney. Kathy [aka LucasFilm presidnent Kathleen Kennedy], she’s amazing. So I feel very supported coming into this. I’m just taking each day as it comes, and December 18 we’ll see exactly how this movie goes.

Any advice from the older cast members on dealing with this kind of celebrity?

I remember Harrison told me that “it’s just going to change your life.” I think that him not going beyond that just means that it’s an experience — it’s each to their own. So we will see what I learn and how I grow within the Star Wars universe. But so far, I have to say the fans have been amazing. We were in Anaheim earlier this year at San Diego Comic-Con and it’s just been brilliant to actually meet them and see how excited they are.

Are you being recognized in the street a lot yet?

No, no, no. Not at all.

Looking forward to that or dreading it?

It’s part of what it is, isn’t it? I mean, if I saw Johnny Depp walking around… actually I did see him today. So, you know, it happens. But no, I’ve been walking around L.A. and nobody recognizes me at all. Back home I’m walking around like usual, and I know that’s going to change with the release of the movie. I’ll just do the human thing and adapt.

We all loved your reaction to the race comments on Instagram. Has that ever been an issue in your career?

It’s never been an issue, no. But this is the thing about Star Wars. It reaches out to many people, with both positive responses and negative responses. What I am fixated on is that we’ve come to a point where everybody is absolutely excited about the movie. Most of the fans are positive and are expecting the movie to be good and they’re in full support, so that’s what I’m most excited about.
Especially when you see 8,000 people just absolutely screaming [at D23 Expo 2015]. Negative is nonexistent. This is Star Wars; this is a positive thing.

Do you have any hobbies outside the craziness to keep you sane?

This is not craziness. This is me doing my art. I’m not a rock star or anything; I’m acting. I’m going to places where I get to meet genuine fans of these franchises. I still do the normal stuff that every guy does; you just end up going to a panel and obviously there are a lot of fans — and watching a movie where you just happen to be the lead. So it doesn’t feel crazy to me.

You don’t get in a point where you’ve just got to get out of the whole acting and Star Wars headspace for a minute?

It’s always been a part of my life. I watch B-rolls, I’m into the behind the scenes, I’m into comic books. All those things have always been a part of my life. Obviously, this is an extreme extension where I get to express myself, but I still go back to just being a normal guy.
They don’t collide with each other. There’s a perfect balance to the force.

Any talk about whether Finn’s going to appear in the next episodes?

Kathy said at the Anaheim convention that the Star Wars universe is always expanding. So let’s get through 7, let’s see what happens and then we’ll continue from there. In between, we’ve got [peripheral Star Wars prequel] Rogue One for you guys. We’ve got the other spinoff movies, the Han Solo origin story, then we’ll see what happens with the main franchise.

Would you do other Star Wars films if they approached you?

Of course I would. Why not, why not?

What have you got coming up next after Star Wars?

[ to the publicist hovering nearby] Am I allowed to mention my next projects? No.

Filed Under: Strategic Research & Analysis

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

More to See

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have Declared war on the Global chocolate industry over cocoa prices (video)

March 20, 2023 By AFRIPOL

(video) I Will Never Call And Congratulate Sanwo-Olu For This Sham Of An Election – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

March 19, 2023 By AFRIPOL

RSS AllAfrica News: Latest

  • Africa: TotalEnergies CAF CL - Elshahat Double Sends Ahly's Red Devils Flying Into Quarters
    [CAF] In front of slightly over 50,000 fans at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, record African champions Al Ahly soared into the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after a well worked 3-0 victory over Sudan's AL Hilal.
  • Africa: TotalEnergies CAF CL - Petro Hit Vita to Finish Third in Group a
    [CAF] Angola's Petro de Luanda finished third in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League after a nervy 1-0 win over Congo's AS Vita Club at their Estádio 11 de Novembro backyard in the capital Luanda.
  • Africa: CAF African Schools Football Championship the Finalists - Cecafa - Unaf
    [CAF] Fountain Gate Secondary School cruised to the title in the girls' competition at the CECAFA zonal finals that were played in February. The Tanzanian side defeatedAwaro Senior Secondary from Ethiopia 3-0 in the final, using the benefit of home ground advantage to book their place at the continental event.
  • Rwanda: How New Rwanda-Australia Trade, Investment Body Will Boost Ties
    [New Times] The Australia -- Rwanda Trade and Investment Council (ARTIC), a new body formed during the Australian leadership retreat in Brisbane from March 24 to 25, aims to strengthen relations between Australia and Rwanda by building mutually beneficial links in business, education, and culture.The council which is composed of business and community leaders, plans […]
  • Sudan: Statement By Spokesman of Political Process
    [SNA] Khartoum -- A meeting was held in the Republican Palace at 01:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1st, which included the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Gen. Abdul-Fattah Al-Burhan, the Vice - President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, and the leaders of the civil forces that signed the framework agreement […]
  • Sudan: Parties of Framework Agreement Decide to Solve Military Reform Issues Before Final Signing
    [SNA] Khartoum -- The military and civil parties that signed the framework agreement, led by the President of the Sovereignty Council, Gen. Abdu-Fattah Al-Burhan, his Deputy, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the member of the Sovereignty Council, Al-Tahir Hajar, the civil parties that signed the framework agreement, the facilitating tripartite mechanism of the United Nations, the […]

Tags

Achebe Africa Anambra Boko Haram Buhari CBN Corona Virus Egypt Igbo IMF Inflation Jonathan Kenya Nigeria Okonjo Iweala Peter Obi Sanusi Senate Soludo South Africa Soyinka United States
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Archives

Footer

Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center, AFRIPOL is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.

Recent

  • Ghana President Publicly ends Cocoa Export to Switzerland.
  • VP Kamala Harris Gives Emotional Speech After Visiting Cape Coast Castle In Ghana (video)
  • U.S Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Ghana Jubilee House to meet President Akufo-Addo
  • US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives in Ghana for African tour (video, Pics)
  • Peter Obi exchanged views on the state of the nation with OBJ @ Anambra Airport (pics)

Search

Tags

Achebe Africa Anambra Boko Haram Buhari CBN Corona Virus Egypt Igbo IMF Inflation Jonathan Kenya Nigeria Okonjo Iweala Peter Obi Sanusi Senate Soludo South Africa Soyinka United States

Copyright © 2023 · AFRIPOL