Star Wars actor John Boyega — who recently made headlines for leaving Netflix series Rebel Ridge mid-production due to “family reasons” — is now throwing his hat in the ring for a role in another popular franchise, Bridgerton.
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Digital Spy shared details about Boyega’s recent comments regarding the hit Regency-era show:
The Netflix hit series is currently in production for its second season, but fans were devastated when it was announced that Page’s Duke of Hastings wouldn’t be appearing in the second season.
Boyega seemed excited about the idea of seeing what Lady Whistledown would have in store for him.
“I’m trying to get that Bridgerton money, man. I need to wear them skintights. I need to be the new guy up in there.”
Joking aside, the Star Wars actor revealed that a Bridgerton role is right up his street.
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Boyega went on to quip, “But, honestly, something like that. Give me a horse and a lovely maiden and all of that.”
Deadline previously reported that there is no ill-will between Netflix and Boyega, or his production company, after he left Rebel Ridge:
A Netflix spokesperson told us: “Rebel Ridge is pausing temporarily as we look to re-cast John Boyega who needed to leave the project for family reasons. We remain committed to Jeremy Saulnier’s extraordinary film and look forward to resuming production. We look forward to continuing our partnership with John Boyega’s UpperRoom Productions, in addition to our upcoming film They Cloned Tyrone in which he also stars.”
This certainly indicates that the door could be open for Boyega to seek casting in another Netflix series — in this case, Bridgerton — if he wanted to, and if the series decided to bring back Page’s Duke of Hastings Simon Bassett, who was originally signed for a single-season story arc.
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Boyega, who starred as ex-stormtrooper Finn alongside Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) in Disney’s Star Wars Skywalker Saga sequel trilogy — Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017), and Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) — became well-known for his involvement in Black Lives Matter protests in London last year, even giving an impassioned monologue at one event.
The British actor also gained recognition for speaking out against the Star Wars franchise for sidelining both Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) and Finn’s story arcs in the sequel films. The actor has, however, stood up for Star Wars movie director JJ Abrams.
Related: ‘Star Wars’ Fans Are Losing It Over Rumored Abrams Cut
At this time, the sequel trilogy’s core trio — Boyega, Ridley, and Isaac — have all indicated they do not have immediate plans to return to the Star Wars galaxy. Boyega most recently starred as Leroy Logan in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe miniseries.
You can currently catch all nine films in the Skywalker Saga streaming on Disney+ anytime.
More on Bridgerton
Netflix officially describes Bridgerton as:
The eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family look for love and happiness in London high society. Inspired by Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels.
In addition to Page, the first season of the popular series starred Ruth Gemmell as matriarch Lady Violet Bridgerton, Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, and Wil Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton.
Would you like to see John Boyega join the Bridgerton cast? Did you enjoy his role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy?