John Boyega Reveals Tom Cruise Helped Him Land a Star Wars Role

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You might not expect a connection between action superstar Tom Cruise and the galaxy far, far away, but it turns out he played a big part in getting John Boyega into ‘Star Wars’. Before Boyega became Finn in ‘The Force Awakens’, he was just a young actor from London trying to make his mark. His breakout came with a little sci-fi flick called ‘Attack the Block’, and that’s where this story starts.

Boyega’s role as Moses in ‘Attack the Block’ caught a lot of eyes when it hit screens in 2011. He led a group of teens fighting off an alien invasion in a South London housing estate. The movie mixed humor with action and earned praise for its fresh take. It wasn’t a massive hit, but it built a cult following.

Apparently, one of those fans was Tom Cruise. While working on a ‘Mission Impossible’ film, Cruise crossed paths with director J.J. Abrams, who was editing alongside him. Cruise couldn’t stop talking about this kid he’d seen in ‘Attack the Block’. He told Abrams, ‘You’ve got to watch this kid in Attack the Block.’ That nudge changed everything.

Abrams, already a big name from ‘Lost’ and the ‘Star Trek’ reboot, took Cruise’s advice. He checked out the film and was hooked. ‘I’m thankful to Tom Cruise, who loved Attack the Block,’ Boyega shared in a chat hosted by

According to Popverse, ‘He was editing ‘Mission Impossible’ at the time with J.J. Abrams. Tom told J.J., ‘You’ve got to watch this kid in Attack the Block.’ J.J. watched it, and one thing led to another … four or five years later, I was in [The Force Awakens].’ That’s how Boyega’s journey to ‘Star Wars’ kicked off, all thanks to a casual tip from Cruise.

Fast forward a few years, and Boyega landed the part of Finn, a stormtrooper with a conscience, in ‘The Force Awakens’. Released in 2015, the movie brought him into the spotlight as part of the new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy. Abrams directed it, blending old-school vibes with new characters. Finn’s arc—breaking away from the First Order and teaming up with Rey and Poe—gave Boyega a chance to shine. The film smashed box office records and put him on the map globally.

Before all this, Boyega grew up in Peckham, South London, with Nigerian roots. He started acting young, hitting the stage at places like Theatre Peckham. ‘Attack the Block’ was his first big film gig, and it opened doors he didn’t expect. After ‘The Force Awakens’, he returned as Finn in ‘The Last Jedi’ and ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, wrapping up the sequel trilogy. Along the way, he picked up awards like the BAFTA Rising Star in 2016.

Cruise, meanwhile, kept ruling the action world with the ‘Mission Impossible’ series. He’s known for wild stunts—like hanging off planes—and intense dedication. He and Abrams had teamed up before, with Abrams producing ‘Mission Impossible III’. That connection made Cruise’s recommendation to Abrams carry weight. Who knows where Boyega would be without it?

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2025-03-16 18:21