In an actor roundtable with Regé-Jean Page, Chris Rock, John Boyega, Jonathan Majors and Josh O’Connor, Boyega discusses racism, bond rumors, and how he would like to get into those Bridgerton skin tights.
You’re now contending with Bond rumors. …
PAGE Yeah, [because] it gets clicks. It’s got nothing to do with me — nothing to do with anything that has happened in any rooms or any meetings. It’s literally just a thing for people to talk about. So it’s flattering, but it’s just a game. It’s much more fun to hear John throw out things.
John, you’ve yet to cast yourself.
BOYEGA I’m trying to get that Bridgerton money, man. I need to wear them skintights, I need to be the new guy up in there.
PAGE Tell you what, I’ll have that Star Wars money, you can have the Bridgerton money. (Laughter.)
BOYEGA But, honestly, something like that. Give me a horse and a lovely maiden and all of that.
John, you’ve been vocal about your experiences as a Black man in the Star Wars franchise. With hindsight, would you do anything differently? And as others at this virtual table launch their own franchise careers, any advice for them?
BOYEGA Acting is so unique to your circumstance, even the way you get into it. My experience is my experience and I liked that, at the time, people like Ray Fisher and a few others came out and spoke about their experiences. I think that in itself will begin to effect change, because now there isn’t that elephant in the room. But these brothers don’t need any bloody advice from me.
MAJORS I will just speak to that, just brother to brother. John, because you did what you did, you did the job, you did the work, brilliant work, you then spoke about the work, about your process in the work, and that then changed the ecosystem for anybody coming in behind you. That in and of itself is full-circle the job of the artist. That experience changed your instrument and therefore changed the entire industry. So, I guess this is a thank you, bro. Thanks for speaking out on all that and thanks for doing your thing. That’s it.
BOYEGA Thank you, bro.
PAGE Exactly the same sentiment. I think you give more than you think you do. Like, I’ve already taken a lot from you just in terms of how you carry yourself in public and how you’ve spoken about your journey. Even though you don’t think that you’re giving [advice], know that it’s being received out here. So, I’d throw in a thank you to you, too.
BOYEGA Love, man, love you both.
Read the full transcript below.
