‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’: John Boyega Reveals New Details of ‘Darker’ ‘Force Awakens’ Sequel
“Dark” is the reigning descriptor of genre movies in the current era, with Christopher Nolan’s Batman cycle helping herald this new approach to superhero, comic-book and sci-fi fare. One recent exception — at least compared to the likes of “The Dark Knight” — is last year’s smash hit “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which returned the dormant franchise from the dark side and wasn’t the least bit funereal. In a Variety interview from Cannes, John Boyega says that may soon change: “Episode VIII” is “a different take, darker, bigger,” says the actor. “Someone will say: ‘How do you get bigger than “Force Awakens?”’ But it’s crazy.”
READ MORE: Tom Hardy Cast in ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ as a First Order Stormtrooper — Report
Boyega, who plays the stormtrooper-turned-rebel Finn, is making his first appearance at the festival. Asked for specifics on the next installment, like whether Finn himself may stray from the light side and reveal darker aspects of his character, he’s coy: “My skin color does because of the heat on the job! That’s me dodging your question because Disney has spies everywhere. If I answer this, I get killed, and I’m not in episode nine.”
Johnson previously directed “Brick” and “Looper” before being tapped to helm a movie far, far away. The as-yet untitled “Episode VIII” hits theaters December 15, 2017.
For more, watch the “Star Wars: Rogue One” trailer:
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