John Boyega Continues Winning Streak, Set to Star in Upcoming Kathryn Bigelow Film

John Boyega is making all the right moves lately. In addition to starring in pretty much the biggest franchise ever, he’ll be joining another one as part of the cast of Pacific Rim 2. And lest he allow his acting chops to get rusty amid all the special effects and explosions, he’s taking to the stage on the West End in London in a production of Woyzeck. Now, he’s working with one of the biggest directors in film — one who remains the only woman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Director.

Boyega is now starring in an upcoming film from director Kathryn Bigelow about the Detroit Riot. As reported by Collider, a press release announcing Boyega’s casting describes the film as being “a crime drama set against the backdrop of Detroit’s devastating riots that took place over five haunting summer days in 1967. The film explores systemic racism in urban Detroit.”

Written by Mark Boal, the film, which is still untitled, is set during the ‘12th Street Riot‘ in 1967, which was one of the largest civil disturbances in US history. The film may be released to coincide with the event’s 50th anniversary next year, but none of those details have been announced yet.

It is so heartening to see a young actor as talented (and seemingly grounded) as John Boyega continue to be a part of compelling, substantive projects in spite of Star Wars. Yes, I said “in spite of.” Star Wars made him famous, but it could just as easily have pigeonholed Boyega as “the guy who played Finn.” However, with smart career moves like this, it’s clear that John Boyega’s going to be wowing us on screen for a long time.

(featured image via Shutterstock)

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Teresa Jusino

Teresa Jusino (she/her) is a native New Yorker and a proud Puerto Rican, Jewish, bisexual woman with ADHD. She's been writing professionally since 2010 and was a former TMS assistant editor from 2015-18. Now, she's back as a contributing writer. When not writing about pop culture, she's writing screenplays and is the creator of your future favorite genre show. Teresa lives in L.A. with her brilliant wife. Her other great loves include: Star Trek, The Last of Us, anything by Brian K. Vaughan, and her Level 5 android Paladin named Lal.

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