After over a decade away from the big screen, we got a trailer forStar Wars: The Force Awakensin November 2014. I was only 13 at the time, but I still remember hearing the ridiculous discourse surrounding the fact that a stormtrooper, part of a group of nameless characters who all wear helmets, was being portrayed by a Black man,John Boyega. Yet, whenThe Force Awakenswasreleased just over 10 years ago, for me and many others, Boyegawas the best part of that film. In scenes of flying tie-fighters with Poe (Oscar Isaac) or the Millennium Falcon with Rey (Daisy Ridley),his “Woo!” embodied the joy we all felt experiencing this universe again.
Sadly, despite being given more focus inStar Wars: The Last Jedi, his character was effectively sidelined by the time we finished the trilogy. This didn’t mean people turned their backs on the character, instead, they hoped that he would return in a future film, and his character could be given a satisfactory and fleshed-out narrative. However,recent comments made by Boyega have all but confirmed this won’t occur. They rightly include a call out of the racism, subconscious or otherwise, prevalent throughoutStar Warsas a universe and fandom.
John Boyega Spoke Out Against the Prejudice Actors of Color Face in ‘Star Wars’
While speaking in a documentary calledNumber One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood, Boyega called out the racism inStar Wars’ narrative and fandom, saying thatit is a “franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something.”It’s interesting to note here that he doesn’t seem to lay blame atGeorge Lucas' feet or anyone else’s in particular, instead merely pointing out the institutionalized racism where black people aren’t even considered in the first place. Where he directed his frustrations towards the onlineStar Warstrolls is when he also noted how recent people of color had been unfairly criticized compared to past actors of color.
Boyega pointed out that when people of color “trailblaze,” there are calls thatStar Warsis “pandering” to minorities. When we analyze these comments, he isn’t wrong. Not only have people of color rarely led, as Boyega pointed out, but he could only be a “best friend” character, but when they do take on larger roles, such as Rose inThe Last Jedior Osha (Amandla Stenberg) inThe Acolyte, they are hounded on social media. There is an argument thatthese trolls are only a vocal minority, but that doesn’t take away the abuse these people have to face, and in an age where social media can sway wider opinions, this tidal wave of racist filth online can have drastic consequences on mental health. These so-called fans cry about “pandering” or being too woke rather than caring about whether the performance or narrative is good or not, or if they are hurting people, a thoroughly un-Star-Warssentiment.
15 Unforgettable ‘Star Wars’ Quotes That Define the Saga
“It’s a trap!”
John Boyega Is Better Off Without the Star Wars Franchise
I can already see some people arguing that Boyega should be more respectful to a franchise that gave him his biggest role, as these kinds of trolls always seek to place others in a beholden position. In fact, within the documentary, Boyega noted thatThe Force Awakenswas a “fundamental moment” for him. Simply put, two things can be true.Star Warswas both Boyega’s introduction to fame in this industry and also a toxic spacefor him to be a part of, and, to be honest, Boyega is well within his rights to say whatever he wants aboutStar Wars.
Yes, he was cast in a large role for a relatively unknown actor. But he was also then misrepresented as a possible Jedi before being sidelined inRise of Skywalkerto the point where his screaming “Rey!” was all anyone remembered of his performance, which is simply not good enough when you have an actor of his caliber who has excelled in other projects such asThey Cloned Tyrone. I would have loved to see him return so that his character could be fixed and given the proper arc he deserves, butBoyega is better off cutting his losses now rather than having to face abuse for simply existingin aStar Warsfilm.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.
