John Boyega will now and forever be remembered as a storm trooper in the newest series of Star Wars movies. But Boyega got his humble start as a model for stock images. People reports that photographer Chris Schmidt posted a stock image on Facebook that shows John Boyega with some other teenagers posing for an educational-themed photo shoot.
https://www.facebook.com/Chris.Schmidt.photography/posts/455056988022579
Schmidt’s caption is fitting.
“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… I did an education themed stock photo shoot with a bunch of teenage students; it turns out John Boyega did quite well afterwards. The force is strong with this one…”
On Friday, John Boyega chimed in on Twitter to confirm that he did indeed pose for those stock images and that he used the money he earned to buy new trainers.
Yep. Used the money for new trainers https://t.co/UulHEv2hrL
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) January 8, 2016
Stock photos aside, Forbes reports that Boyega made his way to the top by taking acting classes and acting in plays. His first paying job as an actor was appearing in three separate plays at the Tricycle Theater in London.
“In one of the plays, I had, like, one scene. In the other two plays, I was literally just changing tables and chairs. But it was quite the experience.”
Despite those humble beginnings and the fact that John Boyega knew there was a slim chance he would go anywhere, he decided to go for an acting career.
“I knew it as a hobby. When I found out about the reality of the industry, which is 0.1% of actors are working, I was like, ‘You know what? I’m going to go for it anyway.’ You only live once.”
It’s a good thing he took a chance and it’s a good thing he got the role as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens , despite being so nervous about his audition.
“I got a call telling me to come read in front of [director] J.J. Abrams and [casting director] Nina Gold. My first audition was all over the place, I was so nervous.”
John Boyega says Star Wars: Episode 8 is “much darker” and Finn “more physical” https://t.co/2XLwa1CY5U pic.twitter.com/KCGguT1QuF
— IGN (@IGN) January 12, 2016
The reaction to the new Star Wars movie has been fabulous and fans love the new characters. However, there has been some speculation about the relationship between John Boyega’s character Finn and Oscar Isaac’s character Poe Dameron. Movie Pilot reports that many fans have been wondering if the two are gay and have a spark, and Isaac has very much enjoyed fanning the flames .
@HE1Chou come join us in the finnpoe fluffy totally gay bromance pic.twitter.com/f48Ac7TMHX
— Senn (@sennfan_art) December 30, 2015
When John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac were interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres, Ellen asked about romance between the characters , despite the fact that the movie was a day away from release. Isaac jokingly said he was feeling romance for one of the characters.
“You have to watch it a few times to catch all the little hints. But there was. At least I was playing romance. In the cockpit I was playing… there was a deep romance.”
But he was just joking around. Check out the interview.
In the end, John Boyega took to Twitter to dispel any misdirected speculation that there was a budding romance between Finn and Poe.
Sad news: John Boyega confirmed to me the Finn/Poe romance is not canon and it only exists “in Oscar’s head” ?
— Chris Mandle (@chris_mandle) January 6, 2016
It would certainly be an interesting plot twist to have a gay relationship or even a gay character in a Star Wars movie, but only time will tell what is really going on.
In the meantime, John Boyega is enjoying his rise to fame and just living in the moment of his success. He is also preparing to film Star Wars VIII , and according to Cinema Blend , Boyega says has a much darker tone.
“It’s great. Much darker, but we’re very excited.”
Fans can’t wait!
[Composite image containing photos by Helga Esteb, Willrow Hood / Getty Images]
