John Boyega Calls Out Lack of Diversity in ‘Star Wars,’ Says Franchise Is ‘So White’

John Boyega has once again spoken out about diversity issues in Star Wars, calling the franchise “so white” and criticizing the way Black actors are treated within its fan base. His comments were made in the new Apple TV+ documentary Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood (via Entertainment Weekly).

“Lemme tell ya, Star Wars always had the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space,” Boyega said. “It’s a franchise that’s so white that a Black person existing in [it] was something. You can always tell it’s something when some Star Wars fans try to say, ‘Well, we had Lando Calrissian and had 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!”

Boyega, who played Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, was targeted with racist harassment online by fans who took issue with his central role in The Force Awakens and beyond. He noted that while audiences were fine with Black actors playing side characters, they resisted the idea of them as lead heroes.

“They’re okay 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,’” he added.

Boyega has been vocal about his frustrations before, telling GQ in 2020 that Disney mishandled his character’s arc and sidelined him after heavily marketing Finn as a major player in the saga. Following that interview, Disney executives reached out to him for what he called a “very honest, very transparent conversation.” He hopes his outspokenness will help others in the industry, saying, “I hope that the conversation is not such a taboo or elephant in the room now, because someone just came and said it.”

(Source: Variety)