John Boyega, the British-Nigerian actor who took on the role of Finn in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, spoke out about how Disney sidelined people of color in the latest installments, including Kelly Marie Tran.
In an interview with GQ, the 28-year-old actor discussed Disney’s way of handling some of its cast in the new “Star Wars” trilogy, which includes Boyega and other cast members of color, Naomi Ackie, Oscar Isaac and Tran.
john boyega spoke nothing but the truth pic.twitter.com/8TcsFqZVfH
— savanah🚶🏽♂️JACOB FOLLOW ME PLEASE (@jelliclesav) September 2, 2020
“Like, you guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver,” Boyega said. “You knew what to do with these other people, but when it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f**k all. So what do you want me to say? What they want you to say is, ‘I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience…’ Nah, nah, nah. I’ll take that deal when it’s a great experience. They gave all the nuance to Adam Driver, all the nuance to Daisy Ridley. Let’s be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I’m not exposing anything.”
So glad he mentioned Kelly Marie Tran. Two amazing emerging talents that were just completely sidelined and ‘mysteriously’ took the absolute full force of hatred from the ‘fans’ 😒
— delectable chaos • they/iel (@orchardofbones) September 2, 2020
Boyega has always been vocal when it comes to supporting his fellow cast members in “Star Wars.” In June 2018, he slammed fans of the franchise after some of them came after Tran, who played as Rose Tico in the films, and eventually drove her off of social media.
If you don’t like Star Wars or the characters understand that there are decisions makers and harassing the actors/ actresses will do nothing. You’re not entitled to politeness when your approach is rude. Even if you paid for a ticket! 🤷🏾♂️
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) June 12, 2018
Tran, 31, also revealed she had to undergo therapy for all the hate she received.
Recently, however, Tran landed the role of voicing Southeast Asian princess Raya, in the upcoming Disney film “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Fans were elated with the news as many agreed with Boyega’s comments and thought this would be a second chance to show off her acting chops.
This makes me really happy. I’m glad she took the hate and spun it into fuel for her career. Rose wasn’t my favorite character, but she did not deserve the hate she received.
I’m so happy Kelly Marie Tran is still acting, she has some SERIOUS talent and I can’t wait for Raya!! pic.twitter.com/g3nlGQtq4S
— Sandcrawler Blog (@sandcrawlerblog) September 3, 2020
They recasted Kelly Marie Tran as the LEAD in Raya and The Last Dragon AS SHE SHOULD BE.
WELL DESERVED! pic.twitter.com/MFsWXVpHAx— sincerely, ivy marie. (@sincerelyivy_) August 27, 2020
so thankful that despite all that BS and the (VERY vocal) haters, Kelly Marie Tran STILL got Raya and the Last Dragon and John Boyega STILL got this cover ❤️
— Vivian Zhu🦄 (@vivianzhunicorn) September 2, 2020
The whole Kelly Marie Tran still enrages me. She was just thrown to the wolves. But I’m glad to see Disney trying to do right by her with Raya. That looks so good 😍
— Dale (@DaleBot1) September 2, 2020
Boyega’s interview raises questions about the future of entertainment for people of color in Hollywood alongside their white thespians.
Featured Image via Getty
