John Boyega has certainly been outspoken when it comes to Star Wars. He’s made no secret of his displeasure with the franchise when it comes to racial equality. Recent comments from the actor, however, illustrate another dark side to starring in one of the biggest film franchises of all time. He earned fame from portraying Finn in the sequel trilogy, but Boyega compares his work for Lucasfilm to “luxury jail.”

John Boyega; Star Wars; Small Axe
John Boyega appears in Small Axe for Amazon Prime Video.
(Image: S. Goodwin for Amazon Studios)

The British actor is currently starring in the Small Axe film anthology airing on Amazon Prime Video. His work in Small Axe: Red, White and Blue, is an extraordinary departure from the character of Finn. John Boyega spoke about the different experiences filming Small Axe and Star Wars at a recent Q&A session for the Prime Video series. In one response in particular Boyega described the downside of starring in a blockbuster franchise like Star Wars.

Star Wars was like “luxury jail” says Joh Boyega

Being in a big franchise, it’s kind of like luxury jail sometimes for an actor when you want to do something else. Because remember, in a franchise you’re working on one character for many years, which can starve your other muscles. And in wanting to be in something where I knew that I’d play a different type of role, a different type of man, and then knowing Steve…. We’re all a part of the same industry, so I’d heard about Steve’s directing style, I was really, really curious and excited to have the opportunity anyway to be a part of it. And when it came through I was on the tele like ‘this is my moment.’

John Boyega; Finn; Finn's Identity Crisis
Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in The Rise of Skywalker.

The “Steve” to which he refers is Steve McQueen, for whom John Boyega stars in Small Axe. The opportunity, of course, was the chance to play a completely different kind of character from Finn. Now, generally, when you’re locked in to a franchise, you’re treated pretty well for the duration. Hence Boyega’s comment about it being a “luxury” jail. Still, he had a three-film contract for Star Wars. Boyega was unable to take a role like that of Leroy Logan until his time in the galaxy far, far away had come to an end.

Such is often the price of fame; to be associated with such a big name franchise. The question for John Boyega, and certainly for Star Wars co-star Daisy Ridley, is this: Was it worth it?

Source: Cinema Blend