John Boyega, famed for his portrayal of Finn in the Star Wars sequel series, has shown enthusiasm towards becoming part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Bishop – following closely on the heels of comments he made regarding Star Wars and its fanbase that garnered attention just a few weeks ago.
At the C2E2 event in Chicago, John Boyega expressed his readiness to portray Bishop, a character from the X-Men universe who can absorb energy and travel through time, when speaking with Josh Horowitz from MTV.
In reply to a fan’s query, he mentioned his preference for playing the character of Bishop. Previously, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige had inquired about his preferred role, but at that moment, he wasn’t able to come up with an answer.
The character Bishop, initially appearing in Uncanny X-Men #282 from 1991, has gained increased attention recently due to his role in the animated reboot X-Men ’97, currently streaming on Disney+. Originally from a bleak future, Bishop is renowned for his ability to absorb and channel energy into formidable blasts. He has consistently been a significant figure in comic books, with many now predicting he could be included in Marvel’s upcoming live-action projects.
The actor Boyega’s willingness to participate in the Marvel Universe signifies a significant change from his prior position regarding movies based on comics.
2022 saw him express to Men’s Health that Marvel isn’t part of his current plans. He’s more interested in tackling complex roles and supporting independent films with innovative concepts, as he acknowledges it’s challenging to surpass the popularity of Iron Man within that universe.
At the time, Boyega emphasized a desire to pursue roles outside the traditional blockbuster mold.
Since then, Boyega has been cast in lesser-known productions like “Breaking” and “They Cloned Tyrone”, which garnered positive criticism. However, with his newfound interest in the character Bishop, it seems that Boyega might be contemplating a shift away from large franchise roles, especially as Marvel’s X-Men reboot begins to pick up speed.
This week, the actor was featured in news stories for his insights in the Apple TV+ documentary titled “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood.” In this documentary, Boyega characterized “Star Wars” as a “very white, exclusive space,” expressing that his inclusion in the franchise felt significant.
He commented, “When some Star Wars enthusiasts argue, ‘But we had Lando Calrissian and Samuel L. Jackson!’ it’s similar to pointing out the chocolate chips in a cookie dough and saying how many of them are present. They were simply added, man!
He added, “They’re fine with us playing secondary roles as friends, but when we start taking the lead, or even setting new paths, it seems to them that we’ve crossed a line. It’s almost like they perceive us as overstepping boundaries and pandering.
The comments stem from Boyega’s long-standing critique of the plot development in the sequel trilogy, as expressed during a 2020 interview with GQ. In that conversation, he made it clear: “Don’t introduce a Black character, emphasize their significance within the franchise, and then marginalize them. It’s not right; I’ll say it plainly.
I’ve got to share something interesting: Disney was praised for bringing out the depth in Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley, but it felt like they overlooked Finn, a character close to my heart. But here’s an update – John Boyega, who plays Finn, has stopped criticizing Lucasfilm and Disney. Instead, he seems to be directing his concerns towards the fanbase now.
Previously, John Boyega indicated he wouldn’t continue with Star Wars, but now seems open to both that and other franchise offers, especially within the Marvel Universe. Since the casting for the X-Men reboot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t been announced yet, it’s uncertain if Boyega will be a potential choice for the character Bishop.
Marvel Studios has yet to comment on casting for the upcoming film.
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2025-05-01 21:55