Following the success of J.J. Abrams' The Force Awakens, John Boyega has handily become one of Hollywood's fastest rising stars. However, as everyone knows, success in the film industry can often prove disastrous for a young performer. Now, Boyega seems to have anticipated the possibility of crashing and burning, and he even turned to Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. for advice on how to navigate the tumultuous world of entertainment. The star of Star Wars: The Last Jedi explained:
It was time for me to sit down with someone who's been through the extremes of Hollywood. And to be given some tips as to how to stay stable.
It's no secret that Robert Downey Jr. has a history of ups and downs in Hollywood. In the 1980s and early 1990s, much of his career was defined by his tumultuous battle with substance abuse and his consistent legal issues. His return to prominence following the release of John Favreau's' first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become widely regarded as one of greatest (if not THE greatest) comebacks in Hollywood history, and the actor has kept himself firmly on the straight and narrow for well over a decade. If John Boyega wanted someone to help himself stay in check, then there's probably no one better to turn to in the long run.
The advice that John Boyega received from Robert Downey Jr. (according to Boyega's comments to GQ) probably couldn't have come at a better time, because the young Star Wars actor has already faced an incredible amount of adversity during his short time as a member of the beloved franchise. As soon as the first teaser for The Force Awakens debuted back in 2014, certain segments of the Star Wars fanbase lashed out at the casting of a black actor as a Stormtrooper. He navigated the controversy incredibly well, but the whole issue seems to highlight the fact that he has experienced a tougher road as a new member of the franchise -- at least compared to guys like Adam Driver or Oscar Isaac. In these situations, "stability" is key.
It probably helps that John Boyega has kept himself busy with work and out of trouble over the course of the last few years. In addition to his fan-favorite role as Finn in the Star Wars universe, the actor is also set to star in Kathryn Bigelow's upcoming thriller Detroit, which will debut later this summer. Beyond that, he is also going to star in the upcoming sequel to Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim (titled Pacific Rim: Uprising) as the son of Idris Elba's Stacker Pentecost. At this stage, his career has all of the promise of Robert Downey Jr.'s early work, with an even greater sense of focus due to the accomplished thespian's guidance.
Make sure to catch John Boyega as Finn when Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi debuts in theaters later this year on December 15.
