The actor was at the center of arguments on social media due to his appearance in the film's first teaser as a black Stormtrooper.
- Dec 2, 2014
AceShowbiz - John Boyega was one of the only four actors who appeared on the first teaser of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", and he was the one whom people talked about the most. The actor responded to the criticism that the latest "Star Wars" film featured a black Stromtrooper.
Some people questioned whether black Stormtroopers make sense. Others even reacted to the teaser with racist remarks. "The black stormtroopers is probally stealing his comrades speeder bikes and shoot his blaster n**guh-gangster style [sic]," one YouTube user wrote under the teaser comment section.
Boyega posted a thank you note to his fans on Instagram and wrote, "To whom it may concern...Get used to it. :)" He also generated supporters on Twitter which was set ablaze with the hashtag #BlackStormtrooper. "They'll accept an alien-filled galaxy powered by 'force' but they're not having a black man in uniform?" a Twitter user quipped.
The previous "Star Wars" installments indeed featured very little African American actors. Samuel L. Jackson played Jedi Master Mace Windu in three films while Billy Dee Williams played General Lando Calrissian in two films.
Stormtroopers were originally clones of Jango Fett, a character played by New Zealand actor Temuera Derek Morrison who is partial Maori descent. Later in the storyline, Stormtroopers were recruited from general populations, making it possible for any race to join the troop.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" hits U.S. theaters December 18, 2015.
