John Boyega felt like ‘an elephant in the room’ when he faced racist backlash for Star Wars

John Boyega has admitted he felt like ‘an elephant in the room’ when he was the subject of racist backlash for his portrayal of Finn in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

The British actor, 30, played the hero in three films from 2015 to 2019, but went onto reveal he doesn’t think he’ll be playing the character again.

Speaking with John Fugelsang on his Sirius XM radio show, John admitted that when he was trolled it ‘wasn’t a conversation he could being up’ at Disney, but he feels this has changed after they spoke out in support of Obi-Wan Kenobi star Moses Ingram.

He began by explaining his thoughts on social media as a whole, stating, ‘Right now you go on social media, it feels like algebra to me.’

‘Two plus two is four. If you do this, that means this. Women think like this, men think like this, and that simplicity with such intricate talking points, it froze me off… it’s a rocky road,’ he said.

Host Fugelsang brought up Moses Ingram, who played Inquisitor Reva in the Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi earlier this year, and was himself subject to racist attacks from trolls online.

He’s done: The British actor played the hero in three films from 2015 to 2019, but went onto reveal he doesn’t think he’ll be playing the character again 

Social media: He began by explaining his thoughts on social media as a whole, stating, ‘Right now you go on social media, it feels like algebra to me’

Hitting back: The actor addressed Disney’s defence of star Moses Ingram, who herself was the subject of racist trolling, insisting it shows the studio has made positive progress 

Speaking out: In May the official Star Wars Twitter account tweeted in support of Moses after she was subject to racist abuse 

He mentioned that Disney ‘had a plan’ when Ingram was attacked, referring to the studio’s rare statement via Star Wars Twitter, where they called out racist trolls.

‘We are proud to welcome Moses Ingram to the Star Wars family and excited for Reva’s story to unfold. If anyone intends to make her feel in any way unwelcome, we have only one thing to say: we resist,’ the first tweet read.

‘There are more than 20 million sentient species in the Star Wars galaxy, don’t choose to be a racist,’ their statement ended with the second tweet.

The tweet earned a mixed response from fans, with radio show host Dana Loesch pointing out how members of its promotions team diminished characters of color to ensure the film would be profitable in China. 

Statement: John mentioned that Disney ‘had a plan’ when Ingram was attacked, which was far cry from when he joined the franchise, noting it ‘wasn’t a conversation he could bring up’

Host Fugelsang suggested that Disney’s inaction with Boyega’s trolls lead to them taking a more proactive approach with Ingram.

‘That’s how it goes, man. That’s how it goes, but that’s the peace that I felt. Moses Ingram being protected makes me feel protected. Do you understand what I’m saying?’ John explained.  

‘It makes me feel like, okay, cool. I am not the elephant in the room because when I started it, wasn’t really a conversation you could bring up. 

‘You know how they went through it. It was kind of like, let’s just be silent. It wasn’t a conversation you could bring up,’ Boyega said. 

Insight: He said: ‘It makes me feel like, okay, cool. I am not the elephant in the room because when I started it, wasn’t really a conversation you could bring up’ 

Referencing Obi-Wan Kenobi star Ewan McGregor’s own support of co-star Ingram, John added: ‘But now to see how blatant it is, to see Ewan McGregor come and support is.. it for me, fulfills my time where I didn’t get the support.’

The Attack The Block star insisted he ‘doesn’t feel bitter’ that Disney opted to support Ingram but kept quiet on the racist trolling he received.

Referencing a lesson his father taught him, he added: ”It makes me feel like sometimes you are that guy. And my dad taught me that.

‘Sometimes you’re not the guy to get the blessing and sometimes you are Moses, you know, you lead the people to the mountain, but you see the destination.

Supportive: The Attack The Block star insisted he ‘doesn’t feel bitter’ that Disney opted to support Ingram but kept quiet on the racist trolling he received 

‘You don’t get to go in, you get others to go in. And that’s where you get your happiness from. 

‘And for me to see other people accepted, and then at the same time to see that the studios now are like, okay, cool. This is not an elephant in the room conversation. We need to support our Black client. It’s fantastic.’

John then went onto reveal that it’s unlikely he will revisit the character of Finn in the future, following the conclusion of the sequel trilogy with The Rise Of Skywalker in 2019.

He added: ‘At this point I’m cool off it. I’m good off it…and I think, I think Finn is at a good confirmation point where you can just enjoy him in other things, the games, the animation. But I feel like, yeah, seven to nine was good for me.’

He’s done: John then went onto reveal that it’s unlikely he will revisit the character of Finn in the future, following the conclusion of the sequel trilogy with The Rise Of Skywalker in 2019