Dream role for Boyega in Star wars

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Dream role for Boyega in Star wars Star Wars fans will be reaching fever pitch now, days away from the worldwide release of The Force Awakens. When 7DAYS sat down for a chat with John Boyega recently in London, it was evident that fans and geeky journalists weren’t the only ones getting caught up in the frenzy. The Londoner plays Finn in the new movie directed by JJ Abrams, a character described as a ‘trained warrior desperate to escape his past’. Despite a wealth of experience on stage and screen already, the 23-year-old was as excited as the rest of us. Boyega, born in 1992, was introduced to the world of Star Wars through the prequel movies (Episodes I-III, released from 1999-2005). He quickly embraced a ‘world of Jedi and flying things’ after getting his hands on the Darth Maul action figure, a criminally underused character from Episode I, The Phantom Menace. It is no surprise then that the chance to wield a Jedi weapon of choice was a big thrill for Boyega, who earlier this year Tweeted: “I’m not a Star Wars fanboy….cough”. He said: “Actually it is heavy, it is heavy to swing so you got to pump some weights to really swing that lightsaber. But it is fantastic and you feel very, very, very powerful.” Boyega, who appears to be wielding Luke and Anakin Skywalker’s old blue version in the trailers, added: “It is a extension of your self, it is blue and bright and I had an amazing time with it in my hand whether I swing it or not.” RELATED: Dubai-based lawyer landed extra role in Star Wars by chance It’s not just the lightsaber though is it, fellow geeks? Some of the recent images, with background and design that evokes memories of the 1977 original, have left fans buzzing. We know that Boyega spent some filming time in a Stormtrooper outfit. But how did it feel running around on set? Boyega laughs: “There is no middle ground with being a Star Wars fan is there? I was a mess. I always had to keep myself entertained when I wasn’t working and what better than the Millennium Falcon (Han Solo’s ship) during your lunch break.” Another thing he enjoyed was pulling the chain of a certain respected actor. Like most fans, Boyega was thrilled to see the original stars return for Episode VII. But he had a special mention for Harrison Ford, who is returning to the action as Solo, some 30 years after helping the Rebel Alliance defeat the Empire in Return of the Jedi. Boyega made a point of “running around in Harrison’s golf cart”. He explains: “It had to be his specifically because it was great to hear him shout from the other side of the room. It was great to have such good fun with the other cast members.” For someone who first played with Star Wars memorabilia as a boy, it was a surreal situation to finally own his own Finn figure. Boyega laughs: “I used it for family. ‘Oh John, are you travelling again? I am, so take this. I am into the merchandising – I can be anywhere!” Boyega, who caught the attention of Abrams in 2011 cult flick ‘Attack The Block’, was keen to soak up as much as he could on set. “There was certain times and scenes I wasn’t in but I just wanted to see what was happening so I would stay behind on set. On certain days I would finish early but stay on set and to bear witness to all this so I can have bragging rights for all my life!” chris.fraser@7days.ae Read the original story at: Dream role for Boyega in Star wars