Various Filmmakers Promise That John Boyega’s Career Won’t Be Affected Negatively By His Protest Comments
John Boyega did what many have done in response to the murder of George Floyd last week, which is to express their anger and sadness and frustration on social media. John’s approach was – understandably – to get angry, and he channeled that anger into blasting racists on Instagram Live with the biggest “Fuck you” this side of Alderaan. And John recently let it be known that speaking out so vocally may mess with any future career prospects, but several Hollywood types have reassured him that he’s got nothing to worry about.
Yesterday, John marched in a Black Lives Matter protest in London’s Hyde Park, and gave an emotional speech in which he called out racism in the UK, stood in solidarity with police brutality protests in the US, and asked people to acknowledge and recognize the contributions made by Black women. John said all this, then said, “I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but fuck that.”
The Hollywood Reporter says that right after John’s speech went viral on the internet, Twitter lit up with people in high places who won’t let John’s career go the way of Jar Jar Binks. Jordan Peele is going to make sure John won’t be punished in Hollywood for speaking up, as will Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, and Matthew Cherry, an executive with Jordan Peele’s production company.
We got you, John. https://t.co/oX7Rr52omx
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) June 3, 2020
I would crawl through a barrel of broken glass to have John Boyega even so much as *glance* at one of my scripts. https://t.co/0bcLeldaEg
— Charlie Brooker (@charltonbrooker) June 3, 2020
John received an impromptu job reference from English screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne, who praised John’s work in the theatre:
I have worked with John Boyega (on Woyzeck at the @oldvictheatre) and would cut my hand off to work with him again. A magnificent talent. https://t.co/vTxngjlNi3
— Jack Thorne (@jackthorne) June 3, 2020
Star Wars director J.J. Abrams also let John know that he’s always got a job in the Star Wars universe. And seeing how fast and shamelessly Disney is willing to pump those movies out, J.J. might as well have promised John employment for life.
You KNOW that as long as I’m allowed to keep working, I’ll always be begging to work with you. Deep respect and love, my friend. https://t.co/DcMEwEmzh9
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) June 4, 2020
Olivia Wilde chimed in, saying she’d love to work with him.
Absolutely. I would be honored to work with @JohnBoyega and can only hope to have the chance. We’ve got your back, John. Don’t hold back. https://t.co/4d5gA3RRkj
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) June 3, 2020
Early in March, John’s production company, UpperRoom Productions, signed a three-film deal with Netflix. And John Boyega is a great actor and it’s not like he was saying something offensive, like, “Salads just taste better without dressing!” So it looks like John’s career will be protected from any hate. Well, except any hateful words about The Rise of Skywalker. Even John can probably agree that there were too many unforgivable plot holes in that movie.
Pic: Wenn.com