John Boyega Critiques Star Wars’ Elite Whiteness

John Boyega’s Bold Take on Star Wars’ Whiteness

​In the Apple TV+ documentary Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood, actor John Boyega reflected on his experiences within the Star Wars franchise, highlighting issues of racial representation and the backlash he faced. Boyega described the franchise as having “the vibe of being in the most whitest, elite space,” emphasizing that the inclusion of a Black character like his own, Finn, was perceived as significant.

He criticized certain segments of the fanbase for accepting Black actors in subordinate roles but resisting when they assume leading positions. Boyega remarked, “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!'” ​

Boyega also noted that citing characters like Lando Calrissian and Mace Windu as examples of diversity is insufficient, likening it to scattering chocolate chips in cookie dough. He expressed frustration over the minimal representation, suggesting that such token inclusions do not address the broader issue of diversity within the franchise.

This isn’t the first time Boyega has addressed these concerns. In a 2020 interview, he criticized Disney for sidelining his character despite initial marketing that suggested a more prominent role. He stated, “What I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are, and then have them pushed to the side.”