John Boyega Says His ‘Star Wars’ Debut as the First Black Lead Faced Backlash Because the Franchise Is ‘So White’

By Raquel ‘Rocky’ Harris, TheWrap

While recalling the moment he made history as the first Black lead to helm a “Star Wars” film, John Boyega said his role as Finn in “The Force Awakens” was significant because the iconic franchise has been “so white” for so long.

“Lemme tell ya, ‘Star Wars’ always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space,” Boyega said in Apple TV+’s “Number One on the Call Sheet,” which spotlights Black actresses and actors who’ve risen to the top of Hollywood production call sheets and their experiences along the way.

“It’s a franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something,” he shared in the two-part documentary. “You can always tell it’s something when some ‘Star Wars’ fans try to say, ‘Well, we had Lando Calrissian and 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 continued, calling the experience a “fundamental” moment in his career: “They’re OK with us playing the best friend, but once we touch their heroes, once we lead, once we trailblaze, it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s just a bit too much! They’re pandering.’”

Boyega made his debut as Finn when “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” hit theaters on Dec. 15, 2015. He went on to reprise the role in “The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker.” While some fans celebrated the universe for diversifying its characters, many shared racist and insensitive comments over Boyega’s casting.

Learn how the actor responded to those comments.

This is just of one of the many racist holdovers of enslavement and the Jim Crow Era.

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