STAR WARS Actor John Boyega Talked To Kathleen Kennedy About His Issues With Race In The Franchise

John Boyega recently shared his disappointment with how Finn, and non-white characters in general, were treated in the Star Wars sequels, and he's now revealed that he addressed this with Kathleen Kennedy.

By JoshWilding - Nov 24, 2020 03:11 AM EST

Filed Under: Star Wars

In a candid interview with GQ earlier this year, Star Wars actor John Boyega expressed his frustration with how non-white characters - such as Finn and Rose - were handled in the sequel trilogy. There's no getting around the fact that they were sidelined, with Finn, in particular, promoted as a lightsaber wielding lead only to quickly fade into the background.

Talking to the BBC recently (via Deadline), Boyega revealed that it was Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy who he spoke to shortly after airing his grievances about the franchise.

"So I got on a phone call with Kathleen Kennedy [Lucasfilm President] and she verbally showed support and we got to have a really nice, transparent, honest conversation that is beneficial to both of us," the British actor revealed. "I think these kinds of conversations, you can go into the realm of sounding like you’re just trying to save your own career, but what is great now is that it is a conversation that anyone has access to."

"Now people can express themselves about this knowing that any character we love," Boyega continued, "especially in these big franchises like the Marvels and Star Wars, we love them because of the moments that they are given, we love them because of those moments, and they’re heroic moments that these producers all decide for these characters so we need to see that in our characters that are maybe black and from other cultures."

With any luck, Kennedy will have taken Boyega's feedback on board, and that will mean the Star Wars franchise handles its non-white characters in a much better way moving forward. The way Kelly Marie Tran's Rose was turned into a glorified extra in The Rise of Skywalker after her leading role in The Last Jedi was particularly shocking, and something Lucasfilm needs to avoid in future.

As of now, there are no clear indications that the Star Wars franchise will be embracing diversity in the future, but we've yet to see the cast Taika Waititi plans on assembling for his movie.

Click on the "Next" button below to check out 10 of the biggest
rumours about the Star Wars franchise's Disney+ future!

10. The Hunt May Be On For A Live-Action Ezra Bridger

In The Mandalorian season two, it seems as if we'll be spending time with Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, and possibly even Sabine Wren, but what comes next for those characters?

Well, it seems there could be plans in place for live-action series as The Illuminerdi is reporting that Lucasfilm is looking to cast Ezra Bridger. It's hinted that he might just end up being the new face of the Star Wars Universe moving forward, and he's obviously a character who could be used to fill the gap between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

The site says that Lucasfilm is looking for a male actor between the ages of 30 - 40. They're specifically looking for actors of Asian descent, but are open to Indian, Latino, or Middle Eastern performers too. One likely destination for Ezra is the rumoured Ahsoka Tano-led spinoff series.

9. A Game Of Thrones-Inspired Star Wars Universe?

According to rumour shared by LRM Online, Lucasfilm has plans for a shared Star Wars Universe which will connect each of the Disney+ TV shows set in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. The Mandalorian is likely to be the starting point, of course, with Ahsoka Tano and Boba Fett receiving their own spinoffs (how Cassian Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi would tie into them is unclear for now).

The site explains that, "the plan is to create a universe where all the shows will be connected with a central storyline." They go on to say Game of Thrones is serving as inspiration for the studio, but "instead of making one epic Game of Thrones show, it’d be like if each family had their own show with a central storyline that spills over into the others."

All of these Star Wars TV shows will be overseen by Dave Filoni, and it does make sense for there to be at least some connective tissue, even if it's just the odd cameo or reference.

8. Possible Details On Ahsoka Tano's Role In The Mandalorian

Star Wars News is a reliable source of information for intel on a Galaxy Far, Far Away, and they claim that in season two of The Mandalorian, Ahsoka Tano will be seen wearing "a dark gray robe and look much more similar to her final appearance in The Clone Wars than her 'Gandalf the White' appearance at the end of Rebels."

Apparently, she'll be seen wearing a hood when we first meet her, but Tano's Togruta Lekku (head tails) will be on full display at some point, and the plan is for her to make "more than a brief cameo." Oh, and as if that's not exciting enough, she'll also be in action wielding a blue lightsaber, hopefully alongside Din Djarin and The Child.

This will presumably be used to set the stage for the aforementioned spinoff series for the character too.

7. Hayden Christensen Will Return As Anakin Skywalker In Obi-Wan Kenobi

Ever since Hayden Christensen made a surprise appearance during last year's Star Wars Celebration, speculation has run rampant about a possible return as Anakin Skywalker. The hope was that would be in The Rise of Skywalker, but the actor only ended up lending his voice to the movie.

However, LRM Online recently became the latest site to claim that Christensen will play a role in the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series. Apparently, the deal is done, and the plan was for his casting to be announced at this year's Star Wars Celebration (which was recently cancelled due to COVID-19).

It sounds like the plan is for him to have a regular role in the show, so we'll either get to spend time with the Sith Lord in his new suit, or he'll be showing up flashbacks/visions "Ben" has on Tatooine.

6. Grand Moff Tarkin May Appear In Cassian Andor

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was set almost immediately before the events of A New Hope, so seeing Grand Moff Tarkin wasn't a surprise...it was, however, a shock when Lucasfilm used visual effects to bring Peter Cushing back from the grave with stand-in Guy Henry.

There were better ways this could have been handled, and it's hard to believe an actor like Cushing would be happy with the way he was uncannily "recreated" on screen.

Of course, with the Cassian Andor series coming to Disney+ taking place before we find the titular Rebel in Rogue One, Kessel Run Radio hosts Corey Van Dyke and Noah Outlaw of Kessel Run Transmissions recently revealed that Tarkin will have a role to play in the hero's show. However, it's since been reported that Henry won't be reprising the role, so perhaps they're recasting?

5. Donald Glover Is Returning As Lando Calrissian On Disney+

Donald Glover was a highlight in Solo: A Star Wars Story, and it feels wrong that the actor was only given the opportunity to play the character once. Now, though, things could be about to change.

In another report from Kessel Run Transmissions, it was said that Lucasfilm is developing a Disney+ series featuring the character, though there's no word on whether that would be a Solo prequel or sequel. The latter seems most likely, of course, especially if it wraps up some of those unanswered questions we have about Qi'ra, Maul, and Black Sun.

For now, details are scarce, and other sites have since claimed that some sort of Solo follow-up is in the works for the streaming service. Ron Howard, however, says there will be no Solo sequel.

As a result, we'll just have to wait and see.

4. Obi-Wan Kenobi Could Include A Young Luke And Leia

With so many changes taking place behind the scenes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, we've heard a lot of conflicting reports about what exactly Lucasfilm has planned for the highly anticipated Disney+ series.

Previously, it was reported that changes had to be made to remove similarities to The Mandalorian, likely because "Ben" would have been watching over the young Luke, Now, though, The Illuminerdi reports that Lucasfilm is currently searching for a "(Girl) Caucasian, 8-11 years old, to portray a precocious girl," and a "(Boy) Caucasian, 8-11 years old, to portray a precocious boy."

Sounds a lot like Luke and Leia, right? It's hard to say how Ben could possibly cross paths with the latter, though her adoptive father did know that the Jedi Master was left hiding out on Tatooine.

3. A Live-Action Clone Wars?

Kessel Run Transmissions were the first to report that Ahsoka Tano would appear in season two of The Mandalorian, and they're now back with a pretty bold claim about plans for Obi-Wan Kenobi.

They state that, "last year when the Kenobi series was officially announced my source told me two things. One, that Ahsoka was going to be cast in The Mandalorian, and that Clone Wars flashbacks were going to be featured in Kenobi." That means a live-action take on The Clone Wars animated series, and could explain how Hayden Christensen ends up factoring into the show.

This would be amazing, and may also tie into those claims that Rosario Dawson is going to play Ashoka Tano in Obi-Wan Kenobi, something we couldn't quite figure out when it was first reported.

2. Big Plans For Maul...Minus Ray Park

It was recently reported that there are plans for Maul to become a recurring presence in the live-action Star Wars TV shows, though there obviously only certain ones that would work in given his death in Star Wars Rebels. He would, however, fit in perfectly in that rumoured Solo follow-up!

Regardless, after actor Ray Park allegedly shared a video on Instagram of a woman performing oral sex on him, LRM Online has reported that in response to the now-removed video, Disney has decided to move forward with more Maul stories minus Park. That means a new actor is needed for Maul.

Prosthetics on another actor could very easily be used to replace the martial artist, while this obviously has zero impact on Witwer voicing the iconic bad guy from The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. There are those who would actually like to see Witwer himself play Maul, so that's another possibility.

1. Darth Vader Could Also Appear In Obi-Wan Kenobi

Shortly after it was reported that Hayden Christensen will reprise the role of Anakin Skywalker in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Full Circle Cinema weighed in with a claim that we'll also see Darth Vader.

By the time we caught up with "Ben" in A New Hope, he was well-aware of Darth Vader's existence, but could they have somehow crossed paths during the years he spent on Tatooine?

A face-to-face confrontation is doubtful, but Kenobi could see Vader from a distance or in a vision of some sort. The villain certainly isn't the first classic Star Wars character to be rumoured for the show, as an older Jar Jar Binks was mentioned not too long ago. Perhaps the former Jedi Master is going to end up venturing from his isolation and heading off on an adventure?

STAR WARS: Darth Revan, Starkiller And More Finally Get Their Own Incredible Hot Toys Action Figures

Recommended For You:

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

70 Comments

1 2

OptimusPrimeTime - 11/24/2020, 3:10 AM

Sorry, Johnny boy. Black or not, you're a male. Kathleen Kennedy doesn't give a shit. Your thoughts and feelings are inherently false.

ThE fOrCe Is FeMaLe....DUURRRRR

dracula - 11/24/2020, 3:13 AM

Seriously, nobody outside of Kylo and Rey got any real development (no matter how badly it was done) not everything needs to be race.

This just happens sometimes for better or for worst.

bkmeijer2 - 11/24/2020, 3:16 AM

''we love them because of the moments that they are given''

Too bad I can't really think of major Finn moments aside from him going up against Kylo in TFA or attempting to take down the cannon in TLJ, which both were cut short.

I do hope characters of color (yeah, you can say non-white) get to do more, because I still want to see them do Finn justice.

DevilsDreams - 11/24/2020, 3:45 AM

@bkmeijer - I just want to see well thought out well written characters, I don't really care about their gender, race or even species given that there are plenty of aliens in Star Wars...

TheCantilope - 11/24/2020, 3:33 AM

This guy got to be in a Star Wars movie, something that millions of men and women, boys and girls, can only dream of. He’s an actor: another dream profession of many. AND HE’S COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS ROLE? HIS SCREEN TIME? WHICH HE SIGNED ON TO DO? I think it’s time for John Boyega to address his privilege and apologize.

newhire13 - 11/24/2020, 7:06 AM

@TheCantilope - 🙄 I’m sure he loves doing what he does but it’s work first and foremost and it sounds like, even though it’s Star Wars, it wasn’t the great experience you assume it would be. I mean god forbid he call out something that bothered him. Being quiet and just keeping your head down when you see something that feels wrong is weak shit. I like the guy even more knowing he calls it like it is.

1 2

Related Headlines

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Darth Revan, Starkiller And More Finally Get Their Own Incredible Hot Toys Action Figures

JoshWilding

2 days ago

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

MarkCassidy

Apr 11, 2024 06:04 AM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

JoshWilding

Apr 10, 2024 04:04 AM

Related Headlines

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Darth Revan, Starkiller And More Finally Get Their Own Incredible Hot Toys Action Figures

JoshWilding

2 days ago

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

MarkCassidy

Apr 11, 2024 06:04 AM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

JoshWilding

Apr 10, 2024 04:04 AM

Video Games

STAR WARS OUTLAWS Release Date Announced With Pre-Order Details And Special Editions

MattIsForReal

Apr 09, 2024 06:04 PM

Star Wars

STAR WARS: Daisy Ridley On Decision To Return For Rey-Focused Movie - "I Feel More Like I'm Owning It"

MarkCassidy

Apr 09, 2024 10:04 AM

Star Wars

Marvel Comics

WOLVERINE #50: Marvel Shares First Look At Benjamin Percy's Final Issue As Logan Celebrates 50th Anniversary

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE's Post-Credits Scene Said To Be "Mind-Blowing"

MarkCassidy

2 hours ago

Latest Headlines

X-Men '97

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Addresses Some Of The Biggest Moments And Easter Eggs In Today's Episode

JoshWilding

2 mins ago

Marvel Comics

WOLVERINE #50: Marvel Shares First Look At Benjamin Percy's Final Issue As Logan Celebrates 50th Anniversary

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE's Post-Credits Scene Said To Be "Mind-Blowing"

MarkCassidy

2 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

X-MEN Star Ray Park Responds To Rumors He'll Return As Toad In DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

X-Men '97

Who Is [SPOILER]? Everything You Need To Know About X-MEN '97 Surprise New Villain

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

Does DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE's New Trailer Feature A Nod To 2002's SPIDER-MAN?

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Hot Headlines

166 comments

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

100 comments

Former X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Show Will Address Mr. Sinister's Racism

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

72 comments

SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW Guest-Star Megan Thee Stallion Sued For Workplace Harassment

MarkCassidy

16 hours ago EST

61 comments

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Official Trailer Features Ultimate Team-Up & Promises The Wildest MCU Movie Of All-Time!

RohanPatel

2 days ago EST

54 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS Director Zack Snyder Shares First Look At His Animated Norse Mythology Series

More Cartoons & Animated ►

New DESTINY 2: THE FINAL SHAPE Trailer Takes Us Into The Pale Heart Of The Traveler

More Anime & Manga ►

WEDNESDAY Season 2 Adds WESTWORLD Star Thandiwe Newton In Mysterious Role

More Horror ►

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Mask Designer Eddie Yang; Dev Patel Film Now Available On Digital HD

More Action Movies & TV ►

Jinder Mahal Reflects On Social Media Spat With AEW's Tony Khan And His WWE Day 1 Promo Alongside The Rock

More Pro Wrestling ►

STAR WARS: TALES OF THE EMPIRE Clip Sees General Grievous Attack Dathomir's Nightsisters

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

STAR WARS Actor John Boyega Talked To Kathleen Kennedy About His Issues With Race In The Franchise

John Boyega recently shared his disappointment with how Finn, and non-white characters in general, were treated in the Star Wars sequels, and he's now revealed that he addressed this with Kathleen Kennedy.

10. The Hunt May Be On For A Live-Action Ezra Bridger

9. A Game Of Thrones-Inspired Star Wars Universe?

8. Possible Details On Ahsoka Tano's Role In The Mandalorian

7. Hayden Christensen Will Return As Anakin Skywalker In Obi-Wan Kenobi

6. Grand Moff Tarkin May Appear In Cassian Andor

5. Donald Glover Is Returning As Lando Calrissian On Disney+

4. Obi-Wan Kenobi Could Include A Young Luke And Leia

3. A Live-Action Clone Wars?

2. Big Plans For Maul...Minus Ray Park

1. Darth Vader Could Also Appear In Obi-Wan Kenobi

STAR WARS: Darth Revan, Starkiller And More Finally Get Their Own Incredible Hot Toys Action Figures

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

STAR WARS: Darth Revan, Starkiller And More Finally Get Their Own Incredible Hot Toys Action Figures

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

STAR WARS: Darth Revan, Starkiller And More Finally Get Their Own Incredible Hot Toys Action Figures

STAR WARS: Lando Calrissian Actor Billy Dee Williams On Blackface - "Why Not? You Should Do It"

STAR WARS: Is Latest "Star Tours" Update Teasing Dave Filoni's Plans For A HEIR TO THE EMPIRE Movie?

STAR WARS OUTLAWS Release Date Announced With Pre-Order Details And Special Editions

STAR WARS: Daisy Ridley On Decision To Return For Rey-Focused Movie - "I Feel More Like I'm Owning It"

STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI Finds A Writer In ANDOR Scribe, But When Will James Mangold Direct SWAMP THING?

Popular Headlines

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rumored New Details About [SPOILER], [SPOILER], And [SPOILER]'s Roles Revealed

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rob Liefeld Responds To Trailer's Shot At His Apparent Inability To Draw Feet

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Rumored To Feature An Appearance From [SPOILER] As [SPOILER]

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: New Statues And Standee Offer Another Look At Wade Wilson And Logan's Costumes

X-MEN '97 "Bright Eyes" Recap: An Unexpected New Villain Revealed As [SPOILER] Makes Shock Return

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Addresses Some Of The Biggest Moments And Easter Eggs In Today's Episode

WOLVERINE #50: Marvel Shares First Look At Benjamin Percy's Final Issue As Logan Celebrates 50th Anniversary

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE's Post-Credits Scene Said To Be "Mind-Blowing"

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Addresses Some Of The Biggest Moments And Easter Eggs In Today's Episode

WOLVERINE #50: Marvel Shares First Look At Benjamin Percy's Final Issue As Logan Celebrates 50th Anniversary

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE's Post-Credits Scene Said To Be "Mind-Blowing"

X-MEN Star Ray Park Responds To Rumors He'll Return As Toad In DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Who Is [SPOILER]? Everything You Need To Know About X-MEN '97 Surprise New Villain

Does DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE's New Trailer Feature A Nod To 2002's SPIDER-MAN?

Hot Headlines

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

Former X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Show Will Address Mr. Sinister's Racism

SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW Guest-Star Megan Thee Stallion Sued For Workplace Harassment

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Official Trailer Features Ultimate Team-Up & Promises The Wildest MCU Movie Of All-Time!

SUPERMAN: Nathan Fillion On Why He's Perfectly Suited To Play GREEN LANTERN Guy Gardner

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

STAR WARS: TALES OF THE EMPIRE Clip Sees General Grievous Attack Dathomir's Nightsisters

DUNE: PART TWO Honest Trailer Isn't Afraid To Point Out The Flaws In Denis Villeneuve's Sci-Fi Masterpiece

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Has Been Rated R For "Strong Violence And Grisly Images"

APPLE TV+'s NEUROMANCER Casts Callum Turner As Series Lead Case

DUNE: PART TWO Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down The Sequel's Ending And Teases MESSIAH Plans - SPOILERS

Jennifer Lopez Battle An A.I. Simu Liu In New Trailer For Netflix's ATLAS

Cartoons & Animated Features

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS Director Zack Snyder Shares First Look At His Animated Norse Mythology Series

THE LITTLE MERMAID: New Live-Action Movie Rated R For "Violence & Nudity" - Check Out The Trailer

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Breaks Down Cameos, Easter Eggs And More In "Bright Eyes" - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97 Finally Reveals Its True Villain In "Bright Eyes" As We Get A Few Shocking Returns - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97: "Bright Eyes" Unleashes Rogue And Features TWO Huge Marvel Universe Cameos - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97: Rogue Is Out For Revenge In First Clip From Tomorrow's New Episode, "Bright Eyes"

Gaming

New DESTINY 2: THE FINAL SHAPE Trailer Takes Us Into The Pale Heart Of The Traveler

GTA 5 Voice Actor Reveals Plans For "Agent Trevor" DLC Before Rockstar Apparently Scrapped It

TALES OF THE SHIRE: A LORD OF THE RINGS GAME Official Announcement Trailer Released

FALLOUT Series Showrunners Strongly Hint Season 2 Will Take Us To An Iconic Location From The Games

Billie Eilish Headlines FORTNITE FESTIVAL Season 3

LaKeith Stanfield To Star In Film Based On EL PASO, ELSEWHERE Vampire Video Game

Anime & Manga

UniVersus Reveals New MY HERO ACADEMIA: GIRL POWER Set

New Trailer For GAROUDEN: THE WAY OF THE LONE WOLF Released Ahead Of Netflix Debut

Netflix's ONE PIECE Finds New Showrunner In PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS' Joe Tracz

DRAGON BALL SUPER Interval Special Announced By Jump While Manga Remains On Indefinite Hiatus

New Teaser And Key Art For Live-Action TRILLION GAME Movie

Netflix's PARASYTE: THE GREY Is Now Streaming; Here's What The Critics Are Saying

Horror

WEDNESDAY Season 2 Adds WESTWORLD Star Thandiwe Newton In Mysterious Role

BLINK TWICE: Channing Tatum Invites You To "Pussy Island" In First Trailer For Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut

THE WATCHERS New Trailer Sees Dakota Fanning Terrorised In Ishana Night Shyamalan's Directorial Debut

EVIL DEAD RISE Director Lee Cronin Shares Gruesome New BTS Photos To Mark Movie's One-Year Anniversary

Happy 4/20! Check Out The Red Band Trailer For New Stoner Horror Movie TRIM SEASON

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

Action Movies & TV