A few years back, John Boyega wasn’t afraid to voice his criticisms about his character Finn faded into the background in “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise Of Skywalker.” But Deadline reports that the actress has since changed his tune, and he’s open to a return to the “Star Wars” universe if the right project comes along.
“That was a few years ago, so they were the subject of that particular project,” Boyega said to TechRadar about his comments. “But I’m open to all characters and scripts that are enjoyable, have a great cast attached, and a terrific director. So yeah, I’m open to all opportunities.” The comments in question came during a GQ interview with the actor in 2020, where Boyega spoke openly about what happened with Finn over the course of the new “Star Wars” trilogy.
“You get yourself involved in projects, and you’re not necessarily going to like everything,” Boyega said to GQ. “[But] what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are, and then have them pushed to the side. It’s not good. I’ll say it straight up.” Boyega then juxtaposed Finn and Kelly Marie Tran‘s Rose Tico with Daisy Ridley‘s Rey and Adam Driver‘s Kylo Ren, saying Lucasfilm had a plan for the latter character but not his or Tran’s.
“When it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f*ck all,” the actor continued. “So what do you want me to say? What they want you to say is, ‘I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience…’ Nah, nah, nah. I’ll take that deal when it’s a great experience. They gave all the nuance to Adam Driver, all the nuance to Daisy Ridley. Let’s be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I’m not exposing anything.”
But Boyega’s tune has changed somewhat since three years ago. Earlier this year, the actor told 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.” But Boyega still isn’t afraid to put down the two films he thinks did his character disservice. In a new episode of Hot Ones, host Sean Evans asked the actor to rank the three “Star Wars” films he was in from best to worst. “Hell, yeah!,” Boyega replied. “”Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is most definitely the best. Second for me comes “Star Wars 9.” And the worst, in the most respectful sense, “Episode 8.” But they’re all lovely.”
Up next for Boyega? “They Cloned Tyrone” hits Netflix tomorrow, and there’s that “Attack The Block” sequel in the works, too. But as for a return to a galaxy far, far away? Maybe in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy‘s film about Rey building a new Jedi order.
