John Boyega, ‘Star Wars’ Boss Had ‘Transparent’ Talk After He Complained Nonwhite Characters Were Marginalized

Disney has announced that its popular Star Wars series The Mandalorian is getting two new spin-off shows.Unveiled yesterday (December 11) as part of Disney’s Investor’s Day, the first is Star Wars: Ahsoka, a limited series that will see Rosario Dawson return as the live-action version of Jedi warrior Ahsoka Tano.Tano’s character debuted in the animated show’s Clone Wars and Rebels as the apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. She also appeared in a recent episode of The Mandalorian.

George Lucas was once a very promising young filmmaker working under the wing of his mentor Francis Ford Coppola in the heyday of New Hollywood, so it’s a bit depressing seeing his legacy get eclipsed by “Star Wars.” Between “American Graffiti” and “THX 1138” audiences were robbed of more distinct films by Lucas, and Ford Coppola seems to be sad that Lucas has only directed “Star Wars” movies since 1977.

Obi Wan Kenobi Star Wars series.Announced by LucasFilm boss Kathleen Kennedy as part of Disney’s Investor’s Day yesterday (December 11), Kennedy promised “the rematch of the century”.The new show, which will see Deborah Chow directing and Ewan McGregor reprise his role as Obi Wan Kenobi.Announcing the news on Twitter, a post read: “Hayden Christensen returns as Darth Vader, joining Ewan McGregor in OBI-WAN KENOBI.

What a way for Disney to close out 2020, huh? This week on The Playlist Podcast, your trusty hosts, Charles Barfield, Mike DeAngelo, and Brian Farvour endure a four-hour Disney Investors Presentation so you don’t have to. And along the way, the guys discuss the nearly 60 projects highlighted by the Mouse House.

during its Investor Day meeting, its year-old streaming service Disney+ is fast becoming as important as the studio’s theatrical releases — and even more prolific. The service now has more than 80 million subscribers and its stock took a leap Friday with all the good news.Driving that home, the company announced 10 new “Star Wars” TV series debuting in 2021.

Star Wars actor David Prowse battled coronavirus before his death, his daughter has confirmed.The 85-year-old, who was best known for immortalising Darth Vader in the original Star Wars franchise, died over the weekend.While it was initially confirmed that Prowse had battled a “short illness” before his passing, his daughter Rachel has now confirmed that the actor had contracted Covid-19 and was previously living with Alzheimer’s.She told The Sun: “It’s horrible that Covid restrictions meant we

Star Wars actor David Prowse battled coronavirus before his death, his daughter has confirmed.The 85-year-old, who was best known for immortalising Darth Vader in the original Star Wars franchise, died over the weekend.While it was initially confirmed that Prowse had battled a “short illness” before his passing, his daughter Rachel has now confirmed that the actor had contracted Covid-19 and was previously living with Alzheimer’s.She told The Sun: “It’s horrible that Covid restrictions meant we

Star Wars co-star David Prowse, saying he “was much more than Darth Vader”.Prowse, the former bodybuilder best known for his role as Darth Vader into the original Star Wars trilogy, died yesterday (November 28) aged 85, it was announced this morning.Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, took to Twitter to pay tribute to his co-star.“So sad to hear David Prowse has passed,” he wrote.

John Boyega, actress Michaela Coel and England footballer Marcus Rashford are among the people who have been honoured at this year’s GQ Men Of The Year awards.Boyega was named winner of the icon award, with Coel, 33, named the creative icon winner and Rashford awarded the campaigner honour at the virtual ceremony.Manchester United star Rashford, 23, has won widespread praise and an MBE following his successful lobbying of the Government for the extension of free school meals.Shawn MendesCoel’s

NEW YORK -- John Boyega is only 28, but being a professional actor of 10 years and a veteran of three “Star Wars” films has given him insight into what it’s like for a young performer breaking into Hollywood.“Normally the assumption is you keep quiet, you keep cashing checks and you keep it moving. That’s the hardest thing to navigate, when you don’t feel that way," he says.This year, Boyega has made it clear he doesn't feel that way, that he isn’t going to bite his tongue.

Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy.Following comments the actor made earlier this year in regards to the marginalisation of non-white characters across the sequel trilogy, the pair discussed a way forward.Boyega had said in September that he felt non-white characters had been “pushed to the side” in The Last Jedi and the Force Awakens, placing focus on Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver whose characters were given “all the nuance”.Giving an update to the BBC today, per Deadline, the actor said: “So I got

John Boyega had a heart-to-heart with Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy after he went public with his frustrations with his role in the Star Wars franchise.John’s portrayal of ex-Stormtrooper Finn was key to reboot installment Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but became less central to the plot of its two follow-ups – and he went public with his disappointment in a GQ interview this summer (2020).He had previously revealed that he had buried the hatchet with Disney chiefs, but has now detailed how K

Naman Ramachandran British actor John Boyega has said he’s had an honest conversation with “Star Wars” producer Kathleen Kennedy after his explosive revelations about working on the franchise.Speaking to GQ magazine in September, Boyega spoke out about the lack of nuance afforded to his character Finn, who was a central character in “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” but had less prominence in subsequent films: “What I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market

For years, if an actor spoke up about being upset with how a film turned out and openly blamed the studio and/or filmmakers for the issue, that person would be dubbed “difficult” or perhaps even blacklisted. But in the case of John Boyega, and his very public criticisms of his recent “Star Wars” trilogy, the actor’s outcry about how Disney and Lucasfilm treated Black and other POC characters have apparently started a discussion that could be beneficial for everyone involved.

John Boyega made headlines earlier this year with a powerful Black Lives Matter speech back in June, where he addressed concerns that speaking out may affect his career.

John Boyega's castmates had his back after he spoke out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. ET's Kevin Frazier spoke to the 28-year-old actor, who revealed that Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac were among the co-stars to express their «full support» of him following his impassioned speech at a London protest.«I am really close to my castmates, specifically Oscar and Daisy,» he said.