All the A-List Directors Who Backed John Boyega After His Impassioned #BLM Speech
“Star Wars” actor John Boyega gave an impassioned speech at a Black Lives Matter rally in London on Wednesday, telling a crowd through tears that black lives “have always been important.” Boyega, who played Finn in the last three “Star Wars” movies, said near the end of his speech, “I don’t know if I’ll have a career after this,” but that he was speaking from his heart.
But A-list directors soon reached out on social media to say they supported the British actor.
As the video started to go viral, Matthew A. Cheery, the Oscar-winning director of “Hair Love,” offered his support and tweeted, “I would work with John Boyega and I urge other Non-Black creators to affirm that they have his back as well.”
Based on the myriad of creators and filmmakers who responded, Boyega’s career will be absolutely fine.
“Get Out” director Jordan Peele tweeted, “We got you, John.”
We got you, John. https://t.co/oX7Rr52omx
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) June 3, 2020
“The Lego Movie” director Chris Miller tweeted, “Yup.”
Yup!
— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) June 3, 2020
“Girls Trip” writer Tracy Y. Oliver tweeted, “Yo @JohnBoyega just say the word. LUCKY and grateful to have you act in anything I’m working on.”
Yo @JohnBoyega just say the word. LUCKY and grateful to have you act in anything I'm working on. #BlackLivesMatter
— Tracy Y. Oliver (@TracyYOliver) June 3, 2020
Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted, “Oh god I WISH, Ojalá! From Attack The Block to this day!”
Oh god I WISH, Ojalá! From Attack The Block to this day! pic.twitter.com/sB7eJqF0sy
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 3, 2020
“Baby Driver” director Edgar Wright tweeted, “Have before and would again, in a heartbeat. So proud of John today.”
Have before and would again, in a heartbeat. So proud of John today. https://t.co/qLi4cwws2i
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) June 3, 2020
“Birds of Prey” director Cathy Yan tweeted, “I would love to work w John Boyega.”
I would love to work w John Boyega https://t.co/zQTIP29SVR
— Cathy Yan (@CathyYan) June 3, 2020
“Doctor Sleep” director Mike Flannagan tweeted, “I would work with John Boyega anytime, and I’d consider myself lucky to do so.”
I would work with John Boyega anytime, and I’d consider myself lucky to do so. https://t.co/l3eRnpsXUv
— Mike Flanagan (@flanaganfilm) June 4, 2020
“Booksmart” director Olivia Wilde tweeted, “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.”
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
“Ant-Man” director Peyton Reed tweeted, “Anytime at all. Keep going, @JohnBoyega.”
Anytime at all. Keep going, @JohnBoyega. https://t.co/ejkQVW5Aay
— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) June 3, 2020
“Big Sick” co-writer Emily V Gordon tweeted, “It would be a dream to write a role for John Boyega. It was already, and nothing has changed that.”
It would be a dream to write a role for John Boyega. It was already, and nothing has changed that. https://t.co/B7VeY3gLU2
— Emily V Gordon (@emilyvgordon) June 3, 2020
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” co-director Rodney Rothman tweeted, “I have something great I would offer him today. Tell yer agents man.”
Lucasfilm put out a statement on their official Twitter feed and tweeted “We stand with and support you, @JohnBoyega.”
We stand with and support you, @JohnBoyega. View his full speech: https://t.co/Goxb5y2wrK pic.twitter.com/ZvE0t5tRPY
— Star Wars (@starwars) June 3, 2020
Watch Boyega’s full speech here.
Boyega last week gained attention and praise for shutting down trolls after he posted a tweet saying, “I really f–ing hate racists.” Boyega doubled down on his remarks in an Instagram Live video after that statement somehow proved offensive to some of his followers who said he shouldn’t comment on issues in the United States.
“Although I don’t live in the States, I’m black … So I’ll say it again: f– you racist white people. I said what I said,” Boyega said. “You lot can’t rattle me. I’m not the guy to be rattled. I wasn’t raised by no weak people.”
Here are other writers and directors who would work with Boyega:
Any project. Any role he wants.
— Seth Grahame-Smith (@sethgs) June 3, 2020
In a heartbeat.
— Kim Shumway (@kimshum) June 3, 2020
Oh, hell yes. Pretty please.
— Bill Lawrence (@VDOOZER) June 3, 2020
Hell yes.
— Joe Henderson (@Henderson_Joe) June 3, 2020
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
I would absolutely cast John Boyega if I'm ever in a position to. I should be so lucky he'd actually accept. https://t.co/ufsUJSH3tO
— Gennifer Hutchison (@GennHutchison) 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
Hey @JohnBoyega I would love to work with you and would hire you in a heartbeat. You don’t have to worry. We got you!! Keep going!
— LaToya Morgan (@MorganicInk) June 3, 2020
Read original story All the A-List Directors Who Backed John Boyega After His Impassioned #BLM Speech At TheWrap
