John Boyega never shies away from speaking his truth, especially when it comes to the long-standing issue of diversity in Hollywood. Despite being a part of the Star Wars franchise, he’s boldly called them out for their lack of representation.
But he isn’t just pointing out the problem, he’s also demanding change. Boyega’s words have sparked a necessary conversation. So, what does this mean for the intergalactic saga and the entertainment industry at large?
John Boyega exposes Star Wars’ diversity problem
John Boyega appeared as Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, his character is shown to be a former stormtrooper who later joins the Resistance. In an interview in Apple TV+’s documentary titled Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood, he didn’t hold back while speaking about the franchise’s glaring lack of representation, calling it “so white”.
Lemme tell ya, ‘Star Wars’ always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space. It’s a franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something.
You can always tell it’s something when some ‘Star Wars’ fans try to say, ‘Well, we had Lando Calrissian and had Samuel L. Jackson!’ It’s like telling me how many cookie chips are in the cookie dough. It’s like, they just scattered that in there, bro!
He also spoke about the bias of how black characters are always the best friend or the sidekick, but not the ones who lead the film. If they’re given that opportunity, it’s seen as “a bit too much.” So his backlash wasn’t just about screentime but how black heroes are unwelcome in traditionally white-dominated spaces.
John Boyega fights for representation in Hollywood
John Boyega’s critique is not just limited to Star Wars but the systematic industry barriers that have existed forever. In an interview with GQ, he pointed out the stark contrast in how his character was handled compared to white co-stars like Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver.
The actor highlighted that their characters had “nuance” and how this fact is known by everyone. His outspokenness did spark some progress because, after this conversation, Boyega told The Hollywood Reporter that a Disney executive reached out to him.
He didn’t reveal the specifics but did convey that their discussion came from a place of understanding. His stance reflects a broader shift, with audiences demanding better representation and studios being held accountable for the same. Boyega’s words are a wake-up call for us to raise our standards because we can no longer celebrate crumbs of diversity as progress.
You can watch all Star Wars films and shows on Disney+.
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