[…] Boyega is fast becoming one of the most recognizable – and bankable – stars working today. As Josh Gad said of Boyega during the panel for The Last Jedi panel at Star Wars Celebration, he’s already a cultural icon thanks to his role in Star Wars. As Boyega continues to gain more and more fame for roles outside of Finn, we could be watching the birth of Hollywood’s next big star, in the vein of leading men such as Will Smith, Tom Cruise, and George Clooney.
[…] His post-Force Awakens career choices have all been smartly made, balancing sci-fi with realism. In particular, his choice to take the lead in Bigelow’s upcoming film shows a savvy when it comes to choosing roles. Bigelow’s work is consistently in the running for best picture, so needless to say her return to film is already generating Oscar buzz. As the film’s frontman, Boyega will no doubt receive similar buzz, potentially elevating him to a critical darling as well as box office draw. His decision to launch his own production company, Upper Room Productions, also marks another intelligent career move; Upper Room Productions will also be one of the companies producing Pacific Rim Uprising. Not only does this give Boyega more creative control over his own roles but it also gives him a much more versatile skill set, ensuring he’s not relegated solely to work in front fo the camera.
[…] It is that charm that will help him make the leap from character actor to bonafide star. It takes charisma to be a true movie star, and Boyega has that in spades. Videos of him reacting to The Force Awakens‘s trailer have view counts in the millions. His interviews are, if you’ll pardon the fangirl terms, a vortex of charm. Stars such as Smith or Clooney are very charismatic; it’s part of their inherent charm. Boyega has enough charisma even at this early point in his career that he could probably hold his own in a film with them. After all, he managed to more than hold his own next to Ford. Is there anything he can’t do?
Most importantly, Boyega is a breath of fresh air. He is passionate about his art, and it shows in his performances. Gone are the days of simply coasting to stardom on looks and a role in a big budget franchise. Boyega works hard at his craft and yet is effortlessly charming. He deserves stardom, and in fact seems born for it given the graceful way he’s accepted his newfound Star Wars fame. There is no worry about whether or not he’ll burn out after Episode IX concludes. Instead, it’s become a discussion of whether or not he’ll receive his first Oscar nomination by the time he’s thirty.