John Boyega on Bafta nods, speech writing and Finn/Poe

Are you bored of people talking to you about The Force Awakens yet?
No! I mean it’s all so much more relaxing than a few weeks ago, before the film came out, that’s for sure.

It’s broken box-office records. Lots of them. Your agent must be chuffed.
He is. I’ve always been his favourite client. Even now, when I’m bringing in the numbers.

How’s everything changed for you since the film’s release?
It’s been great. I mean, at the moment I’m trying to schedule other projects and fit everything else I want to do around the next Star Wars movie. But now I’m just resting, and then we’ll start prepping for Star Wars again soon.

Finn and Poe more than a bromance? Oscar Isaac wishes

What does it feel like to be constantly in the news? Your reactions, clothes, and anecdotes are always making headlines now.
I don’t read stuff about me online, like specific tweets or anything, but when I hear about myself through word of mouth it’s really cool. I love hearing people’s response to my character, or appearances on things like The Graham Norton Show. Doing the press for The Force Awakens was so much fun.

Have you heard the fan speculation that Finn and Poe’s relationship is more than just a bromance? What do you make of that?
Yeah, I’ve seen that. It’s so not true. Oscar [Isaac] wishes it was though, it’s all in his head. It’s a brotherly love, a bromance, that’s for sure.

Did any of your mates correctly guess the massive twist towards the end of the film?
No one guessed that ending.

Since the film came out, have any famous fans come out of the woodwork?
Not yet! But I haven’t been doing much ‘industry stuff’ since the film came out so I haven’t moved in those circles. The only famous fans I know of are the other guys who work on the film, and they know more than most people…

Has anyone come up to you yet and said, “Actually, I thought The Force Awakens was a bit rubbish”?
[Laughs] I’ve heard people say that. I’ve had discussions with people about it. It’s one opinion, for sure.

Now that the film is out, what’s the biggest question you have for the next film?
The biggest thing I want to know? I know already! [Laughs]

You know everything?
Yeah!

Everything?
Pretty much. You do understand though, I’ve got to take days off from this every now and then.

In that case, let’s talk about your upcoming dystopian tech film The Circle.
We wrapped a few months ago, before I started all the Force Awakens promo. It has been great. I was working with Emma Watson a lot and she is frickin’ amazing, I can’t wait for people to see the movie, it’s going to be so great. I’d read the book before I was involved in the script so it’s really exciting. And then I have another film, called Imperial Dreams, which will be coming out after all the Star Wars ‘craziness’.

In The Circle you a play tech guru, Ty. Safe to say he’s a lot different than Finn…
Everything I’ve done in my career has been totally different. I don’t think many people saw the kid from Attack The Block ending up on Star Wars…

You’ve been nominated for the EE Bafta Rising Star Award. Have you decided where you’ll put the award if you win?
Hmm. I’ll put it in a glass cabinet.

A lot of award-winners display their prize in the loo.
Nah, you don’t wanna put it in the toilet. Nobody will touch your award if it’s been in the toilet for ages.

Have you got a speech prepared in case you win?
The concept of being nominated in the first place is something I’m still trying to settle in to. I’m not a ‘prep a speech’ kind of guy really, so I’ll probably bottle it if I win.

Just don’t do a ‘Will Poulter’ and start getting emotional...
Oh no. No… now I get why people don’t want to even win these awards. Winning is too stressful. You have to say something. Maybe I’d rather just sit down and applaud.

Even if you don’t win, you’re basically in the biggest film ever.
[Laughs] And I already feel appreciated for being here. An award, even though it’s such a great thing… I do still feel very, very appreciated by Bafta and the rest of the team.

Plus you’re the only one who has been immortalised in ‘Monopoly’ form…
​That’s true! For now at least.

The EE Rising Star Award is the only Bafta voted for by the public. To vote go to ee.co.uk/bafta. We’re offering a pair of tickets to the 2016 EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony, including goody bag and stay at a London hotel. Enter at ShortList.com

(Image: PA)