John Boyega opens up about being fans' choice to play either Marvel Studios' Blade or Warner Bros./DCFilms' John Stewart in Green Lantern Corps. The 25-year-old actor is most popular in his role in the current Star Wars trilogy as Finn, but this month, he will debut a brand new big screen persona in Pacific Rim Uprising as Jake Pentecost, son of the original movie's General Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba).
Earlier this month, Boyega did a Reddit AMA as part of his promotional activities for Pacific Rim Uprising where he was asked about his thoughts on playing the new version of Blade. The Nigerian-British actor was enthused about the idea. Since then, fans have not just been imagining what he would look like as the character, some are even casting him in other major black superhero roles such as DC's Green Lantern Corps. (which is reportedly being actively developed by Warner Bros.). So naturally, we had to ask him again about his opinion on the matter when we got the chance to sit down with him for a conversation.
RELATED: WESLEY SNIPES STILL OPEN TO BLADE 4, & MCU ROLE
Speaking with Screen Rant during Pacific Rim Uprising's press junket, we asked Boyega further about his thoughts of not just playing Marvel's Blade but also Green Lantern Corps.' Hal Jordan.
A lot of fans freaked out when you did AMA recently about you possibly wanting to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as either Blade or the DC Universe as John Stewart. At least this is what I have heard. A lot of fans have...
John Boyega: OH!!! Oh! Oh!
So, would you be interested in joining one of these big comic book cinematic universes?
John Boyega: I mean, yeah! I mean, that wouldn't be a problem. I just don't know who.
Well, there's John Stewart, the Green Lantern. Blade at Marvel.
John Boyega: They're doing a Green Lantern? (Negatively groans) Sss.. Hmmm.....Eghhh.... (Laughs) And Wesley, man. That's Wesley for Blade. I would want to see Wesley.
Boyega's enthusiasm is always electric, and that's what makes him such a good Star Wars ambassador. But while he would undoubtedly crush in any roles that he's attached to, maybe it would be better if Marvel and DC opt to find a fresh face to lead Blade or Green Lantern Corps. Boyega already has two franchises (including Pacific Rim) under his belt, and it would be nice to bring in other black actors at the forefront of these big blockbuster movies. Similar to what Lucasfilm did by placing relative newcomers at the forefront of Star Wars, introducing an up-and-comer might be risky, but could work with the right casting choice and execution. Otherwise, at least for Blade, maybe just bring back Wesley Snipes just like Boyega suggested. The actor has been forthcoming about taking the gig again, so why not?
However the casting pans out (or if/when the aforementioned films will be made), these conversations are good in terms of proper representation and diversification in Hollywood. Brought about by the huge success of Black Panther - a film that boasts a cast of predominantly black actors, directed by a black director (Ryan Coogler) and co-executive produced by a black producer (Nate Moore), the Marvel Studios project proves that the industry is long-overdue of these kinds of stories, and squashes myths about what makes money in the entertainment business.
MORE: Black Panther Crosses $1 Billion at Global Box Office
