Jordan Peele and more Hollywood figures stand behind John Boyega

As protests over the killing of George Floyd make their way across the globe, Star Wars actor John Boyega was seen joining the Black Lives Matter movement in London. For the actor, he says he doesn’t care if he loses his career for doing so.

Now, Get Out and Us director Jordan Peele and many others are standing in solidarity with Boyega and Black Lives Matter. They say they won’t let Hollywood end Boyega’s career over his involvement in these protests.

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So far, protests have been happening in all 50 states as well as London, Manchester, Toronto, Vancouver, Rio De Janerio and many other cities.

Boyega is taking part in the protests happening in central London. The Star Wars actor marched from Hyde Park to Parliament Square with thousands of other protestors.

Footage of Boyega making an impassioned speech is currently circulating around the web. In the footage, the actor explains he isn’t sure if he’ll lose future roles and opportunities for taking part in the protests, but he is going to take a stance anyway.

“Black lives have always mattered,” Boyega says in the video. “We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting. I ain’t waiting. I’m speaking to you from my heart. Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but f**k that. Today is about innocent people who were halfway through their process.”

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“Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting,” @johnboyega just told #BlackLivesMatter protesters in London’s Hyde Park pic.twitter.com/P49cbwIp6P

— Haley Ott (@haleyjoelleott) June 3, 2020

Following the release of the video, many have expressed his support for the actor including Star Wars. The official Star Wars Twitter account shared a photo of Boyega during the protests as well as a message showing their support for the movement.

We stand with and support you, @JohnBoyega. View his full speech: https://t.co/Goxb5y2wrK pic.twitter.com/ZvE0t5tRPY

— Star Wars (@starwars) June 3, 2020

Mark Hamill also expressed his love for his fellow Star Wars actor in a tweet.

“Never been more proud of you, John. Dad,” Hamill says.

Never been more proud of you, John. @JohnBoyega
❤️, dad https://t.co/XcXvBcblPG

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 3, 2020

Now, various other Hollywood figures are sharing their support for Boyega and say they will have plenty of work for him in the future. Peele took to Twitter on June 3 to reassure Boyega his Hollywood career isn’t going anywhere.

“We got you John,” the director says.

We got you, John. https://t.co/oX7Rr52omx

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) June 3, 2020

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Director Matthew A. Cherry, who has directed episodes for Black-ish and won an Oscar for the animated short Hair Love, also reached out to Boyega on social media. In his tweet, he encourages other directors and non-black creators to let Boeyga know they would love to work with him in the future.

“I would work with John Boyega and I urge other Non-Black creators to affirm that they have his back as well,” Cherry writes.

I would work with John Boyega and I urge other Non-Black creators to affirm that they have his back as well. https://t.co/SqXgmIS5aR

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) June 3, 2020

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World director Edgar Wright then responded to Cherry’s tweet, saying that he would love to work with Boyega again in the future.

“Have been and would again in a heartbeat,” Wright tweets. “So proud of John today.”

Have before and would again, in a heartbeat. So proud of John today. https://t.co/qLi4cwws2i

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) June 3, 2020

Mary Poppins and Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda also responded to Cherry’s tweet and references Boyega’s 2011 film Attack the Block. The film follows a group of teenagers who defend themselves from alien predators in South London during Guy Fawkes Night.

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“Oh god I WISH,” Miranda says. “Ojalá! From Attack The Block to this day!”

Oh god I WISH, Ojalá! From Attack The Block to this day! pic.twitter.com/sB7eJqF0sy

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 3, 2020

Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker says he would go a long way for Boyega to even consider starring in one of his projects.

“I would crawl through a barrel of broken glass to have John Boyega even so much as *glance* at one of my scripts,” Brooker writes.

I would crawl through a barrel of broken glass to have John Boyega even so much as *glance* at one of my scripts. https://t.co/0bcLeldaEg

— Charlie Brooker (@charltonbrooker) June 3, 2020

Knives Out and Star Wars: Episode Vlll – The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson also shared his love for Boyega.

“Love this man,” Johnson tweets.

Love this man https://t.co/Rb4gXaJDDy

— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 3, 2020

Boyega’s full speech at the London protests is available to watch below.

To show support through donations, connect with grassroots campaigns and obtain resources for allies, please refer to the links below.

Help the family of George Floyd here.
Fight for Breonna Taylor here.
Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery here.
To sign petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and more, click here.
Donate to one or more community bail funds for protesters here.
Click here for more resources for protestors including pro-bono lawyers.
Visit Movement For Black Lives for additional ways you can help the cause.
Click here to connect with leaders building grassroots campaigns.
Here are some anti-racism resources for allies who want to learn more.
For other ways to donate, please head here.