John Boyega has grown “comfortable” with Finn’s treatment in Star Wars

John Boyega famously played Stormtrooper-turned-Resistance fighter Finn in the Star Wars sequel saga. It was a life-changing experience, but Boyega wasn’t always happy with how his character was treated. In 2020, he gave some advice to the studio: “What I would say to Disney is, ‘Do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important to the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It’s not good.’”

But that was then. Boyega has since gained some perspective on the series, which he laid out for The Times of London. “For me Star Wars has made the man, in a sense… The experiences, the fun times, good times, ugly times, bad times, it makes you who you are as you navigate through the industry, and that has definitely been interesting,” he said.

"I feel like the arc that [director J.J. Abrams’ tried to tie up [in The Rise of Skywalker], that’s where I feel comfortable with the release of him. And since then I’ve been able to enjoy, as a fan, The Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi. I’m enjoying the balance of all things."

Once you’re removed from the chaos of it, I imagine you can look back and appreciate what was and understand some of the creative decisions that were made. This isn’t to say that Boyega’s complaints about the sequel trilogy were invalid, but he can now see things from a different angle.

Disney also did some course correction when it came to actors of color in the Star Wars; for instance, they were more proactive about pushing back against racist comments directed at Moses Ingram, who starred in Obi-Wan Kenobi. “At least the people going into it now, after my time, [they’re] cool,” he said. “[Now, Lucasfilm is] going to make sure you’re well supported and at least you [now] go through this franchise knowing that everybody is going to have [your] back. I’m glad I talked out everything at that time.”

John Boyega wants to play the Doctor on Doctor Who

Boyega also talked about representation to Radio Times, where he cited Black actor Ncuti Gatwa’s casting as the next Doctor on Doctor Who as a good sign of things to come. “The glass ceiling can’t limit us. It’s exciting to see what comes out of this new stage of film-making and entertainment,” he said.

Speaking of Doctor Who, Boyega would be 100% down to appear on the show…just not for the long haul. “[G]et me in an episode where I’m one of the many Doctors in many timelines so I can just cameo it,” he said. “Or I’d be the assistant, whatever. I’d show up – but just for one episode.”

You can currently see Boyega as a Marine corps veteran in financial trouble in the movie Breaking.

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h/t Deadline