John Boyega supported by directors after passionate Black Lives Matter speech

4 June 2020, 12:42

John Boyega delivers powerful Black Lives Matter speech at London protest

By Sam Prance

"Look I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this but, f--k that."

Directors, writers and actors have voiced their support of John Boyega following his speech at a Black Lives Matter protest.

Last week (May 27), John Boyega took to Twitter to call out racists after the murder of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer. He tweeted: "I really fucking hate racists.". Then, in an Instagram Live video, John said: "If you're a fan of me and you're racist and you're arguing with what I'm saying, fuck off." His comments received widespread praise online.

Yesterday (Jun 3), John joined thousands of other people at a Black Lives Matter protest in London. During the rally, he made a speech about Black Lives Matter and how speaking up was more important to him than protecting his career.

Directors vow to work with John Boyega after he says protesting may end his career. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

John said: "Look I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this but, fuck that." He then added: “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." In videos of the speech that have circulated online, John is visibly emotional.

He continued: "We are a physical representation of our support for George Floyd. We are a physical representation of our support for Sandra Bland. We are a physical representation of our support for Trayvon Martin. We are a physical representation of our support for Stephen Lawrence."

Following John's speech, directors, writers and actors all took to Twitter to state that they would still work with John. Jordan Peele, Matthew A. Cherry, Lin Manuel Miranda, JJ Abrams, Mark Hamill, Charlie Brooker, Edgar Wright, Olivia Wilde and many more all praised him.

We got you, John. https://t.co/oX7Rr52omx
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) June 3, 2020

Oh god I WISH, Ojalá! From Attack The Block to this day! pic.twitter.com/sB7eJqF0sy
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 3, 2020

You KNOW that as long as I’m allowed to keep working, I’ll always be begging to work with you. Deep respect and love, my friend. https://t.co/DcMEwEmzh9
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) June 4, 2020

Never been more proud of you, John. @JohnBoyega
❤️, dad https://t.co/XcXvBcblPG
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 3, 2020

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

Have before and would again, in a heartbeat. So proud of John today. https://t.co/qLi4cwws2i
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) June 3, 2020

Absolutely. I would be honored to work with @JohnBoyega and can only hope to have the chance. We’ve got your back, John. Don’t hold back. https://t.co/4d5gA3RRkj
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) June 3, 2020

We can't wait to see what John stars in next.