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John Boyega Says Spending Years Playing One Character Can Starve Your Range as an Actor

Discussion in 'SWNN News Feed' started by SWNN Probe, Jan 25, 2021.

  1. SWNN Probe

    SWNN Probe Seeker

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    [​IMG]

    John Boyega recently debuted a new project from acclaimed director Steve McQueen, Small Axe. This is a collection of five different films linked together thematically, and John Boyega plays Leroy Logan in Small Axe: Red, White, and Blue. It is his first role since the debut of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker back in December of 2019. Recently, in a Q&A with Cinemablend for Small Axe, the British actor talked about working for an independent author like Steve McQueen versus his experiences with big franchise filmmaking in Star Wars:



    This is just another way of singing the song John Boyega has been singing for the past number of months. He has been very vocal and clear about not having much interest in returning to play Finn, and instead make movies or TV shows that have an impact on society (see Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit for a sample size of that) and that resonate with audiences, as well as expand his range as an actor. Steve McQueen is one of the hottest names in independent filmmaking out there, and working with him must be a great leap forward for Boyega's career, both in terms of reputation and abilities as an actor.



    In the next few years we might see see Boyega explode as an actor, and we will look back with even more appreciation having had an actor of his talent in Star Wars. His performance in Small Axe is having an amazing reception, and honestly, we should not be surprised. He is a great actor.



    Click HERE to check out and comment on this topic on our main site
     
    #1 SWNN Probe, Jan 25, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
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  2. cawatrooper

    cawatrooper Dungeon Master

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    I get what he's saying, but he only played Finn for three movies and a handful of years, while also taking on a good deal of other work.

    Here's to hoping that he feels more comfortable taking other roles soon, though. He's certainly talented!
     
    #2 cawatrooper, Jan 25, 2021
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  3. DarthSnow

    DarthSnow Sith in the North
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    #3 DarthSnow, Jan 25, 2021
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  4. SKB

    SKB Force Sensitive

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    Typecasting?!
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #4 SKB, Jan 25, 2021
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  5. cawatrooper

    cawatrooper Dungeon Master

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    I agree that it's easy for people like Hugh Jackman's Wolverine (17 years, 10 films ), RDJ's Tony Stark (11 years, 9+ films), Mark Hamill's Skywalker (40 freakin' years!, 6 films, a special, tons of transmedia, not to even mention his career as Joker) and others are really easy to compare to. And that makes sense, really Boyega's 4-5ish year stint as Finn kinda feels a lot more short-lived and kinda strange to talk about.

    I really hate to make someone's experiences a one-upping game. Just because Boyega only played Finn for a handful of years doesn't mean that time didn't leave its mark on him. Heck, I've been in my job for about as long, and I certainly identify myself by my profession at times. And I certainly think that playing a character for that long is more experience in Hollywood than a lot of us have. So I'm hesitant to criticize this too much.

    Nevertheless... it is interesting to me. I wonder, do actors in other trilogies feel the same? It's easy to compare a trilogy to an entire media event like the MCU and see it as small, but many times an actor fully invests themself into a part for a single film alone. To do that two more times afterward all for the same character... I can see how that could feel like more of a commitment than one's used to.
     
    #5 cawatrooper, Jan 25, 2021
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  6. RoyleRancor

    RoyleRancor Car'a'Carn

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    So he's at the 80s/90s stage of Shatner.
    A lot of them go through it.
    it'll be okay.

    I honesty figured Oscar would have been the Ford of this generation but alas, it twas Boyega.
     
    #6 RoyleRancor, Jan 25, 2021
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  7. GingerByte

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    Lol, sure Boyega. Keep telling yourself that. Every actor says this at one point or another, but they always return to franchise filmmaking.
     
    #7 GingerByte, Jan 25, 2021
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  8. DarthSnow

    DarthSnow Sith in the North
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    I know you don't necessarily mean me, but FWIW I didn't mean to give that impression by the gag image I posted above. Really my line of thought was akin to your initial post...

    Yeah, I understand the sentiment too, but almost all of the biggest names in Hollywood deal with this at some point & to a certain degree. And a good majority of those actors find a way to balance it and experience multi-faceted success. And to be completely honest I think what he said shouldn't be taken as a slam or slight on the character of Finn or SW in general; he was just making a comparison.

    It's also funny because many actors seem to be longing for "that one role" that will break them out, solidify their standing as one of the greats, or what have you... but in the same breath say "I want something new."

    It's just a grass-is-greener type of thing that we can all relate to. I'm laughing with Boyega, not at him.
     
    #8 DarthSnow, Jan 25, 2021
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  9. cawatrooper

    cawatrooper Dungeon Master

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    Definitely not- I should've been clearer that I was actually referring to myself. I was thinking the same thing originally as well ("how could he complain when Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig have been in the same roles for most of my life?!?" etc).

    I noticed some people (yourself included) implied similar things, and I definitely don't disagree. But I do feel like we can't really get a full picture without being in his shows.
     
    #9 cawatrooper, Jan 25, 2021
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  10. RoyleRancor

    RoyleRancor Car'a'Carn

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    I'd definitely get this more if I felt like it has in anyway negatively impacted the actors so far but I don't really think it has.
     
    #10 RoyleRancor, Jan 25, 2021
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  11. MandoChip

    MandoChip Hate me later. Work now.
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    Haha, okay John.
     
    #11 MandoChip, Jan 26, 2021
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  12. Stormagadon

    Stormagadon Cantina Court Jester
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    I dare speak as someone who hasn't worked in a franchise, but there's the since that he is right as many franchise actors have said the same thing, but he's also had enough roles between the Star Wars films he's been in. It kinda sounds like he's just complaining about Star Wars because it gets attention.
    Perhaps that Finn never had the character development that was needed is a factor, but something just sounds a wee bit funny to me.
     
    #12 Stormagadon, Jan 26, 2021
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