'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Star Says Racist Uproar 'Was Unnecessary'
John Boyega faced the wrath of racist social media users when the trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" released earlier this year revealed that Boyega, a black man, donned a Stormtrooper costume.
The rising star tells V Man the backlash was "unnecessary."
"I'm in the movie, what are you going to do about it?" he says of racist "Star Wars" fans. "You either enjoy it or you don’t. I’m not saying get used to the future, but what is already happening. People of color and women are increasingly being shown on-screen. For things to be whitewashed just doesn't make sense."
At the time of the uproar, he echoed a similar response in an Instagram message: "Get used to it."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams, hits theaters Dec. 18.