John Boyega Covers ES Magazine, Addresses Samuel L. Jackson Comments

Yann Rabanier photographs John Boyega for a new cover story. The Star Wars actor stars in a photo shoot, which features styling by Jenny Kennedy. Putting on a serious face, Boyega wears practical designer pieces from the likes of Prada and Dries Van Noten.

Connecting with the magazine, Boyega addresses Samuel L. Jackson’s criticism of English actors taking African American roles. Boyega reflects, “Damn, Sam. I love him, but he didn’t have to go there. I was actually going to send him a message to check that he’s cool. But look, I get it. I just think there’s no end result in black Brits and African Americans going back and forth at each other.

The 25-year-old actor continues, “I rate Sam and he’s always showed me love–he’s like a big unc–but, across the planet, the black experience is a layered one and his comments didn’t represent that.”