Exclusive: John Boyega Talks Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Exclusive Interview: John Boyega Talks Star Wars: The Force AwakensPosted by Wilson Morales

December 14, 2015

In just a few days, the most anticipated film in the last ten years will hit theaters when Star Wars: The Force Awakens is released on December 18, 2015.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, and features a new generation of swashbuckling heroes and shadowy villains, as well as the return of fan-favorite smugglers, princesses, and Jedi.

The seventh installment in the series will stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, and Peter Mayhew reprising their roles along with newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.

For Boyega, who plays one of the lead roles in the film, Finn, it’s a fun ride for the 23 year-old British native who was previous best known for his role in Joe Cornish’s Attack The Block. Since then he’s been seen opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton in ‘Half of a Yellow Sun,’ and had a recurring role on Fox’s “24: Live Another Day.” He also starred in the 2014 Sundance film, ‘Imperial Dreams,’ which won the Audience Award and will be released in 2016.

Coming up next is a role opposite Tom Hanks and Emma Watson in the adaptation of novelist Dave Eggers’ thriller, The Circle, directed by James Ponsoldt.

Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Boyega about his character, his attraction to doing the film and his experience working on the film.

How would best describe Finn?

John Boyega: He’s a very young, charasmatic stormtrooper who feels conflicted about his position and doesn’t want to be under The First Order’s reign anymore. He’s a character who is trying to discover himself and is limbo; so it’s going to be very interesting how he finds his path.

What ultimately led you to say yes for this film and what was the audition process like?

JB: At the time, my team and I were really fixed on getting a studio film and we wanted it to be a great character arc; and for me, this is the first time we have got into the individuality of a stormtrooper. You never saw that in the six previous films. The audition process for the role was a long seven months of training, reading with J.J Abrams, and meetings.

Do you believe that “Attack The Block” made it happen for you in terms of being in the right position to get this role?

JB: Absolelutly! “Attack The Block” is what brought me stateside. It gave me the opportunity to get representation here and I thought I was good enough for American projects.

Prior to be in this film, had you watched the previous six Star Wars films?

JB: Yes. I watched the prequels first. I watched “Phantom Menace” first. I know it came out in 1999, but I watched it a few years after. Then, when I was older, I watched the originals and since then, I have been a big fan of the expanded universe from the comic books, the games, and of course, the merchandise.

Of the six films, is there a favorite?

JB: “The Empire Strikes Back” is really my favorite and I really enjoyed the last sequence of “Revenge of the Jedi.” It made me feel giddy.

How does it feel to part of the biggest franchise ever and the most anticipated film in the last few years?

JB: The part that I particularly cared about is that it’s actually Star Wars because no one could have planned three years ago about working towards to being in a Star Wars movie. You’re always working towards to being in something, maybe something historical. I felt that the three years after “Attack The Block” with hard work has paid off.

As you were shooting the film, how did it feel handling the lightsaber?

JB: It was fantastic. We had a great stunt team that helped us with the fight scenes. It was quick to swing that thing around. It felt cool to be on set and have everyone watched as the cameras rolled. You can see on their faces that they were geeking out and I really enjoyed it.

How was working and learning from Harrison Ford?

JB: Harrison is a great actor because he has a good balanced and knowledge of the technical side of filmmaking as well as the artistic side and that’s always important. You wanted to be able to be in the right frame and in the right shot. Watching him and observing him as been great.

Does one need to go back and see the previous six films or is this a standalone film?

JB: You don’t need to go back but it’s definitely a continuation of the old story. The references will give you enough understanding to follow the new characters. Plus, the lead characters that we have, Finn, Rey and the BB-8 aren’t has knowledgeable as Star Wars fans. The characters in the movie also have to learn. We recommend to a certain extent the audience to know something why people fell in love with the franchise in the first place.

How do you feel as a Black actor put in a lead role of a gigantic and well known franchise?

JB: I feel great, but to be honest, I feel great as an actor to be in this. We have gone beyond to sticking this role into one definition so far. That to me, it’s always comforting.

How was the shooting process like?

JB: The shooting process was fantastic. They tried to shoot as much as possible in order, which I definitely liked. It was steady. My first day wasn’t as intended. It was a steady process. It had a really heavy dialogue, character defining scenes.The stunts were really fun and in between takes and while offset, it was a good time and a sense of accomplishment.

What do you thing of the action figures in your shape? Do you own all of the models from the different brands putting them out?

JB: It feels really, really good. I’m playing the Disney Infinity video games and I like it on top of having an action figure. You always want it to look like you. I’ve collected every single one so far. I’m still waiting for LEGO and a few other brands as well. I’m enjoying this whole experience.

What do you want to do next?

JB: I just wrapped a movie called “The Circle” with Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. That involves social commentary, drama and technology. It was fun working on that movie James Ponsoldt directed. I also have another film “Imperial Dreams” coming out after “Star Wars” as well.

With the film set to be released in a few days, are you still able to keep a normal life? Can you go outside without wearing a hat?

JB: Yes. Definitely. I recently went to the movies with my two friends. I went to a car show and Hollywood Boulevard and hung out there. Nobody recognized me. That’s going to change in a few days so I’m just milking it now.