‘Star Wars’ Actor Responds Perfectly To ‘Black Stormtrooper’ Criticism
Meanwhile in ‘post-racial’ America, some people took issue with Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens because it features a black stormtrooper.
For reals.
John Boyega, the actor seen just 20 seconds into the clip playing a stormtrooper sans helmet, posted a subtle comeback to the critics on Instagram, Mashable reports.
Boyega handled it well and even included a smiley face for the haters.
He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and support! The fan mail and fan art has added to my joy! Isn’t it crazy that Star Wars is actually happening?”
“I’m in the movie but as a star wars fan I am very excited! A year is a long time but it will be worth the wait,” he added.
“To whom it may concern…Get used to it. :)”
Watch:
It’s Because of guys like this:
What up with black guy? #StormTrooper #Fail #StarWarsEpisodeVII #StarWars #StarWarsTheForceAwakens pic.twitter.com/QTUgBvapvk — Patrick Bateman (@Lomawny) November 28, 2014
Twitter got mad.
I really hope that Black Stormtrooper is gay.
— Nick Mundy (@dickfundy) November 28, 2014
LRT: I mean come on, there has to be a point where you complain about a black Stormtrooper and then think “wow even for me that’s racist” — slowbeef (@slowbeef) November 28, 2014
H/T: My buddy @TomCinmidlife with thanks.
Image: Walt Disney Studios Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Anomaly100
fancypants November 30th, 2014 at 17:29
I didn’t see the need for a Scottish claymore light sabre ? so far im saving the cost to see this movie until more trailers are posted
Kick Frenzy November 30th, 2014 at 17:51
Hand guard?
If a lightsaber could cut through a metal guard, it makes sense to use lightsaber guards instead.
Or it could be used when he gets into that “in your face, hilt to hilt” position.
Instead of powering out, he could just twist the handle to aim for the other persons face.
At least, those are my takes on it.
fancypants December 1st, 2014 at 23:40
there didn’t seem to be a need for a claymore in previous episodes ? and yes they did get in some hand removing sword fights due to inexperience
crabbyj December 1st, 2014 at 02:07
Dial it back some, Slick or you’ll make yourself crazy..er. I’m 99% sure it’s a make-believe story, no need to get your fancy pants all in a knot.
Still, I can’t figure out why you weren’t consulted…the joke will be on them, when all the takes are added up, and it turns out they were one ticket sale away from making a profit. You’ll show those arrogant bastards what’s what!
fancypants December 1st, 2014 at 23:42
so we are going to dial back to medieval times because they had it right on weapons design….got it
Margie Bateman Osgood November 30th, 2014 at 17:29
Seriously? I would hope by that time in the future that race is not an issue, of course those same people probably forget Landau Calrissian (spelling) in the originals.
arc99 November 30th, 2014 at 17:46
actually the Star Wars saga takes places centuries ago in the past.
in a galaxy far away, a long time ago.
crabbyj December 1st, 2014 at 02:05
Where Darth Vader destroyed the 12 Colonies, and Luke Starbuck found the mythical 13th Colony…New Jersey?
If C3PO is a Cylon, how come he never says, “By your command”?
All that said, there’s still no explanation for Jar Jar Binks…meesa say he sucks, and even Yoda wants to kick his ass, he’s so annoying.
Margie Bateman Osgood December 1st, 2014 at 10:07
THen they need to bring us their tech, LOLOL
fancypants November 30th, 2014 at 18:29
I didn’t see the need for a Scottish claymore light sabre ? so far im saving the cost to see this movie until more trailers are posted
Kick Frenzy November 30th, 2014 at 18:51
Hand guard?
If a lightsaber could cut through a metal guard, it makes sense to use lightsaber guards instead.
Or it could be used when he gets into that “in your face, hilt to hilt” position.
Instead of powering out, he could just twist the handle to aim for the other persons face.
At least, those are my takes on it.
fancypants December 2nd, 2014 at 00:40
there didn’t seem to be a need for a claymore in previous episodes ? and yes they did get in some hand removing sword fights due to inexperience
crabbyj December 1st, 2014 at 03:07
Dial it back some, Slick or you’ll make yourself crazy..er. I’m 99% sure it’s a make-believe story, no need to get your fancy pants all in a knot.
Still, I can’t figure out why you weren’t consulted…the joke will be on them, when all the takes are added up, and it turns out they were one ticket sale away from making a profit. You’ll show those arrogant bastards what’s what!
fancypants December 2nd, 2014 at 00:42
so we are going to dial back to medieval times because they had it right on weapons design….got it
Margie Bateman Osgood November 30th, 2014 at 18:29
Seriously? I would hope by that time in the future that race is not an issue, of course those same people probably forget Landau Calrissian (spelling) in the originals.
arc99 November 30th, 2014 at 18:46
actually the Star Wars saga takes places centuries ago in the past.
in a galaxy far away, a long time ago.
crabbyj December 1st, 2014 at 03:05
Where Darth Vader destroyed the 12 Colonies, and Luke Starbuck found the mythical 13th Colony…New Jersey?
If C3PO is a Cylon, how come he never says, “By your command”?
All that said, there’s still no explanation for Jar Jar Binks…meesa say he sucks, and even Yoda wants to kick his ass, he’s so annoying.
Margie Bateman Osgood December 1st, 2014 at 11:07
THen they need to bring us their tech, LOLOL
whatthe46 November 30th, 2014 at 17:34
i don’t even know why racist watch t.v, go to the movies, leave their trailers, go shopping, etc., black people and people of all races are everywhere. it must be miserable to not be able to avoid them. LOL.
Warman1138 November 30th, 2014 at 17:34
Wow! A movie franchise featuring countless alien species, toss in one person of color and moronic haters freak out and flock to respond and ignorance abounds.
whatthe46 November 30th, 2014 at 18:34
i don’t even know why racist watch t.v, go to the movies, leave their trailers, go shopping, etc., black people and people of all races are everywhere. it must be miserable to not be able to avoid them. LOL.
Warman1138 November 30th, 2014 at 18:34
Wow! A movie franchise featuring countless alien species, toss in one person of color and moronic haters freak out and flock to respond and ignorance abounds.
J.D. Rhoades November 30th, 2014 at 17:36
Is he really a stormtrooper or a good guy in a stormtrooper uniform? There is precedent…
Kick Frenzy November 30th, 2014 at 17:47
That’s the first thing I thought of, too.
M D Reese November 30th, 2014 at 18:41
Funny–that’s one thought that I had about it, too. He did not strike me as a real storm trooper, and not because he is black. No matter though–I’ll probably wait for the Legos version to come out.
J.D. Rhoades November 30th, 2014 at 18:36
Is he really a stormtrooper or a good guy in a stormtrooper uniform? There is precedent…
Kick Frenzy November 30th, 2014 at 18:47
That’s the first thing I thought of, too.
M D Reese November 30th, 2014 at 19:41
Funny–that’s one thought that I had about it, too. He did not strike me as a real storm trooper, and not because he is black. No matter though–I’ll probably wait for the Legos version to come out.
Long Tom November 30th, 2014 at 17:37
It seems that some dummies have confused Stormtroopers with Stormfronters…congrats to Mr. Boyega for scoring a role in such an epic film franchise.
Long Tom November 30th, 2014 at 18:37
It seems that some dummies have confused Stormtroopers with Stormfronters…congrats to Mr. Boyega for scoring a role in such an epic film franchise.
miami383 . November 30th, 2014 at 17:44
Love his response! :)
miami383 . November 30th, 2014 at 18:44
Love his response! :)
FrankenPC . November 30th, 2014 at 17:47
My only complaint about storm troopers is they look like humans! MOAR ALIENS!
FrankenPC . November 30th, 2014 at 18:47
My only complaint about storm troopers is they look like humans! MOAR ALIENS!
Kim Serrahn November 30th, 2014 at 18:36
I can’t believe that those are people I follow on twitter…………….. Well not any more I will. How rude…..
Kim Serrahn November 30th, 2014 at 19:36
I can’t believe that those are people I follow on twitter…………….. Well not any more I will. How rude…..
M D Reese November 30th, 2014 at 18:39
Soooo the Star Wars franchise can portray all sorts of fantastic alien life forms, but a black human is out of the question? Oh Good Grief!
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 19:19
Is that what the complaint is, a ‘black’ stormtrooper…
Actually, let me ask this cause I’ve never seen the movies so have no idea and can’t quite get the gist of this story…
Are stormtroopers the ‘bad guys’ and people are complaining that a black guy is portraying a bad guy(stereotyping)
or
are stormtroopers good guys and people(racists) are saying a good guy shouldn’t be portrayed by a black guy?
Anomaly 100 November 30th, 2014 at 19:22
Nah, they’re upset that there’s a black actor playing a stormtrooper.
It’s a strange mindset especially with anyone that’s seen the films. I mean, as M.D. Reese said, there are various alien lifeforms all through the movie but a black guy is a no no?
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 19:25
But why would the actor, any actor, matter if playing a ‘stormtrooper’… I could see if it was a historical treatise(say like a viet nam war and most of the vc were blacks or germans and such, meaning not ‘historically’ correct, but what’s with a scifi part?
Anomaly 100 November 30th, 2014 at 19:39
Darth Vader’s voice was done by James Earl Jones. But it’s funny because if racists don’t see the skin, they aren’t bothered by it. I don’t get their mindset either, but some people just aren’t capable of coherent thought.
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 19:49
I LOVE JEJ’s voice… he does A GREAT job w/sheen doing a christmas carol!
Anomaly 100 November 30th, 2014 at 20:05
IKR? He has an awesome voice!
jasperjava November 30th, 2014 at 21:05
The man in the costume, David Prowse, was also Black.
I wonder about the objection to the Black stormtrooper. I’m not sure, because I refuse to see the botched “prequels” that ruined the franchise (though I almost made it halfway through Episode One), but weren’t the stormtroopers all supposed to be clones of Jango Fett?
Guest November 30th, 2014 at 22:59
I thought they were clones, hence “the clone wars”. We don’t know this is an actual stormtrooper, do we? We only that he’s wearing the gear. Luke and Han did, too, in the original.
crabbyj December 1st, 2014 at 01:55
I’m pretty sure Dave Prowse is white. Just an FYI
They were clones…in the beginning…but the Empire started conscripting, if I recall the story’s mythology.
Guest December 1st, 2014 at 01:57
They were clones…in the beginning…but the Empire started conscripting, if I recall the story’s mythology.
mea_mark November 30th, 2014 at 20:14
They don’t know, they are just unhappy about black skin. It really is pure racism.
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 20:17
(sigh)
unbelievable, just, just, unbelievable.
No, wait, on second thought, I’m glad about this… now when the racist crowd watches any of those movies with stormtroopers in them, they’ll have to wonder ‘are those stormtroopers black, oh man, I hope not’… and it’ll ruin the whole movie for them while they obsess over it, he he he
Sick and tired December 1st, 2014 at 23:43
All the stormtroopers are supposed to be clones of Jango Fett who was acted by a Kiwi of Maori descent. So, aren’t all stormtroopers are supposed to look identical on the inside of their costumes as well? However, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo got themselves into a Stormtrooper uniform on the Death Star, so perhaps this actor is playing the part of a Rebel soldier who is impersonating a Stormtrooper. Even more probable because you never see stormtroopers with their helmets off…and this guy has his hemet off. He must be a rebel.
Anomaly 100 December 2nd, 2014 at 07:25
It just makes me want to see the film more.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 17:42
My impression from the clip is that he is a rebel who’s been found out and is running for his life. But I’m sure that black rebels get the racists’ panties in a twist, too…
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 17:58
The storm troopers are the bad guys, on the side of the Evil Empire. They are under Darth Vader, the baddest of the bad guys.
I haven’t watched any of the newer Star Wars movies but in the early ones that I saw a long long time ago and in another State, you didn’t see the faces of the storm troopers. They always had their helmets on. The newer movies may be different. I don’t think the objection was to having a black man playing a bad guy–it was that a black man was playing a Storm trooper AT ALL because–well just because! Personally the feeling I got from the clip was that he was a rebel DIGUISED as a storm trooper and had lost his helmet and was running for his life.
If you’ve never seen the movies, I’d suggest starting with the very first one, with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. I think it’s just titled “Star Wars”. It’s just a good rip-roaring yarn set in space. Great special effects.
Spirit of America December 1st, 2014 at 20:46
Terrific explanation, many thanks!!
“If you’ve never seen the movies,”…
I’m told it comes from a set of books, but movies are out of sequence w/the books. I’ve been thinking of getting both sets, read the books, then watch the movies… so far, it has just come to the thinking stage though :)
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 15:20
The movies came first. I would recommend watching the original 3 movies in the order that they came out. That would get you started. The books are based on the movies. It is confusing–the first three movies were episodes IV, V and VI–also known as Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi.
Disney has bought the franchise and so there’s a big push of new Star Wars programs–I’ve been enjoying the new animated versions like “Star Wars Rebels”. My favorite is the Legos versions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars#Original_trilogy
Spirit of America December 2nd, 2014 at 23:39
Excellent link, found it very interesting the ‘process/evolution’ that was gone through just as an enjoyable ‘in the mind of’ read, thank you!
Books came after the movies… don’t see that too many times!, eh?
Hate to bother you more, but I saw where it is a 3 trilogy project(making 9 movies in all). Do you know how many are done. I’ll probably wait till the 9th comes out, then get them all and then watch them all over a couple of weeks.
Again, many thanks for the info/time spent!
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 17:40
You bet! I haven’t really followed the later story line, so no help there. I’m sure there’s a lot of fan sites though–people who are into it get very passionate about it. I’d definitely start with the original movies though, or you may not get the references in the “prequels” that came later.
Another SciFi movie that came out before the book was written is “2001: A Space Odyssey”. It was based loosely on a short story by Arthur C Clark called “The Sentinel”. It’s more of a “thinker”–not a shoot-em up. If you haven’t seen it, it is a classic and was way ahead of its time. I believe it came out in ’68. I was a big SciFi fan back then. It was followed by “2010: The Year We Make Contact”.
Spirit of America December 3rd, 2014 at 20:52
BIG fan of Arthur CC’s, especially his hard science work, but sci-fi as well, 2001 was a very good movie. I’m also a ‘fan’ of Asimov, both sci-fi and again hard science work, but more for personal reasons as well.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 21:07
I read a lot of Heinlein’s early stuff, and Asimov, too. I remember reading his “Foundation” trilogy–it’s been a long time. I think it was he who coined the phrase “Garbage in–garbage out” in the context of computers.
I love hard science fiction–but most of what is out these days is really more horror or fantasy than science fiction.
M D Reese November 30th, 2014 at 19:39
Soooo the Star Wars franchise can portray all sorts of fantastic alien life forms, but a black human is out of the question? Oh Good Grief!
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 20:19
Is that what the complaint is, a ‘black’ stormtrooper…
Actually, let me ask this cause I’ve never seen the movies so have no idea and can’t quite get the gist of this story…
Are stormtroopers the ‘bad guys’ and people are complaining that a black guy is portraying a bad guy(stereotyping)
or
are stormtroopers good guys and people(racists) are saying a good guy shouldn’t be portrayed by a black guy?
Anomaly 100 November 30th, 2014 at 20:22
Nah, they’re upset that there’s a black actor playing a stormtrooper.
It’s a strange mindset especially with anyone that’s seen the films. I mean, as M.D. Reese said, there are various alien lifeforms all through the movie but a black guy is a no no?
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 20:25
But why would the actor, any actor, matter if playing a ‘stormtrooper’… I could see if it was a historical treatise(say like a viet nam war and most of the vc were blacks or germans and such, meaning not ‘historically’ correct, but what’s with a scifi part?
EDIT: just did an image search ‘stromtrooper’… almost all are shown in complete coverage, how does one know what race or even if alien or not to begin with?
Anomaly 100 November 30th, 2014 at 20:39
Darth Vader’s voice was done by James Earl Jones. But it’s funny because if racists don’t see the skin, they aren’t bothered by it. I don’t get their mindset either, but some people just aren’t capable of coherent thought.
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 20:49
I LOVE JEJ’s voice… he does A GREAT job w/sheen doing a christmas carol!
Anomaly 100 November 30th, 2014 at 21:05
IKR? He has an awesome voice!
jasperjava November 30th, 2014 at 22:05
The man in the costume, David Prowse, was also Black.
I wonder about the objection to the Black stormtrooper. I’m not sure, because I refuse to see the botched “prequels” that ruined the franchise (though I almost made it halfway through Episode One), but weren’t the stormtroopers all supposed to be clones of Jango Fett?
I agree with the idea that this character is a good guy in trooper armor.
Guest November 30th, 2014 at 23:59
I thought they were clones, hence “the clone wars”. We don’t know this is an actual stormtrooper, do we? We only that he’s wearing the gear. Luke and Han did, too, in the original.
crabbyj December 1st, 2014 at 02:55
I’m pretty sure Dave Prowse is white. Just an FYI
They were clones…in the beginning…but the Empire started conscripting, if I recall the story’s mythology.
Guest December 1st, 2014 at 02:57
They were clones…in the beginning…but the Empire started conscripting, if I recall the story’s mythology.
mea_mark November 30th, 2014 at 21:14
They don’t know, they are just unhappy about black skin. It really is pure racism.
Spirit of America November 30th, 2014 at 21:17
(sigh)
unbelievable, just, just, unbelievable.
No, wait, on second thought, I’m glad about this… now when the racist crowd watches any of those movies with stormtroopers in them, they’ll have to wonder ‘are those stormtroopers black, oh man, I hope not’… and it’ll ruin the whole movie for them while they obsess over it, he he he
Sick and tired December 2nd, 2014 at 00:43
All the stormtroopers are supposed to be clones of Jango Fett who was acted by a Kiwi of Maori descent. So, aren’t all stormtroopers are supposed to look identical on the inside of their costumes as well? However, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo got themselves into a Stormtrooper uniform on the Death Star, so perhaps this actor is playing the part of a Rebel soldier who is impersonating a Stormtrooper. Even more probable because you never see stormtroopers with their helmets off…and this guy has his hemet off. He must be a rebel.
Anomaly 100 December 2nd, 2014 at 08:25
It just makes me want to see the film more.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 18:42
My impression from the clip is that he is a rebel who’s been found out and is running for his life. But I’m sure that black rebels get the racists’ panties in a twist, too…
M D Reese December 1st, 2014 at 18:58
The storm troopers are the bad guys, on the side of the Evil Empire. They are under Darth Vader, the baddest of the bad guys.
I haven’t watched any of the newer Star Wars movies but in the early ones that I saw a long long time ago and in another State, you didn’t see the faces of the storm troopers. They always had their helmets on. The newer movies may be different. I don’t think the objection was to having a black man playing a bad guy–it was that a black man was playing a Storm trooper AT ALL because–well just because! Personally the feeling I got from the clip was that he was a rebel DIGUISED as a storm trooper and had lost his helmet and was running for his life.
If you’ve never seen the movies, I’d suggest starting with the very first one, with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. I think it’s just titled “Star Wars”. It’s just a good rip-roaring yarn set in space. Great special effects.
Spirit of America December 1st, 2014 at 21:46
Terrific explanation, many thanks!!
“If you’ve never seen the movies,”…
I’m told it comes from a set of books, but movies are out of sequence w/the books. I’ve been thinking of getting both sets, read the books, then watch the movies… so far, it has just come to the thinking stage though :)
M D Reese December 2nd, 2014 at 16:20
The movies came first. I would recommend watching the original 3 movies in the order that they came out. That would get you started. The books are based on the movies. It is confusing–the first three movies were episodes IV, V and VI–also known as Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi.
Disney has bought the franchise and so there’s a big push of new Star Wars programs–I’ve been enjoying the new animated versions like “Star Wars Rebels”. My favorite is the Legos versions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars#Original_trilogy
Spirit of America December 3rd, 2014 at 00:39
Excellent link, found it very interesting the ‘process/evolution’ that was gone through just as an enjoyable ‘in the mind of’ read, thank you!
Books came after the movies… don’t see that too many times!, eh?
Hate to bother you more, but I saw where it is a 3 trilogy project(making 9 movies in all). Do you know how many are done. I’ll probably wait till the 9th comes out, then get them all and then watch them all over a couple of weeks.
Again, many thanks for the info/time spent!
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 18:40
You bet! I haven’t really followed the later story line, so no help there. I’m sure there’s a lot of fan sites though–people who are into it get very passionate about it. I’d definitely start with the original movies though, or you may not get the references in the “prequels” that came later.
Another SciFi movie that came out before the book was written is “2001: A Space Odyssey”. It was based loosely on a short story by Arthur C Clark called “The Sentinel”. It’s more of a “thinker”–not a shoot-em up. If you haven’t seen it, it is a classic and was way ahead of its time. I believe it came out in ’68. I was a big SciFi fan back then. It was followed by “2010: The Year We Make Contact”.
Spirit of America December 3rd, 2014 at 21:52
BIG fan of Arthur CC’s, especially his hard science work, but sci-fi as well, 2001 was a very good movie. I’m also a ‘fan’ of Asimov, both sci-fi and again hard science work, but more for personal reasons as well.
M D Reese December 3rd, 2014 at 22:07
I read a lot of Heinlein’s early stuff, and Asimov, too. I remember reading his “Foundation” trilogy–it’s been a long time. I think it was he who coined the phrase “Garbage in–garbage out” in the context of computers.
I love hard science fiction–but most of what is out these days is really more horror or fantasy than science fiction.