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British actor John Boyega has criticized the treatment of non-white characters in the later Star Wars films, saying they were marketed as important elements of the franchise, but were eventually “pushed aside.”
In an interview published by GQ magazine on Wednesday, Boyega expressed bitterness over how his role as stormtrooper Finn faded in the final episodes of the trilogy that concluded with The Rise of Skywalker in 2019.
“What I would say to Disney is don’t bring up a black character, market him to be much more important in the franchise than he is, and then put him aside. Not good. I’ll say it directly, ”he told the magazine.
He said fellow non-white actors Naomi Ackie, Kelly Marie Tran and Oscar Isaac had suffered similar fates, while Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley had risen to prominence in leading roles as Kylo Ren and Rey.
Boyega told GQ that some people would accuse him of “making it up,” but the hierarchy of characters in The Last Jedi was hard to accept.
“They gave all the shades to Adam Driver, all the shades to Daisy Ridley. Let’s be honest. Daisy knows. Adam knows. Everybody knows. I’m not exposing anything, ”said Boyega.
He said that Star Wars didn’t know what to do with the non-white characters.
“So what do you want me to say? What they want you to say is, ‘I enjoyed being a part of this. It was a great experience … ‘Nah, nah, nah. I’ll take that deal when it’s a great experience. “
Boyega became a viral sensation in June when he delivered an emotional speech at an anti-racism demonstration in London following the death of George Floyd at the hands of US police in Minneapolis.
“I’m the only cast member who had his own unique experience of that franchise based on his race,” Boyega said of Star Wars. “Let’s leave it that way.
“It angers you with a process like that. It makes you much more militant; it changes you “.
In his speech at the Black Lives Matter rally in London, he said: “Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always wanted to say something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I’m not waiting “.
Later, in a post on social media, Boyega added: “I know everyone is thinking, what’s next? Where do we go from here? Because I’m thinking the same thing! Conversations are going on about black business, ownership and support, and I will continue to have these conversations with the full intention of generating ideas that are sustainable and tangible. “
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
