Pilot mode
Boyega picks up where Elba left off in sequel film Pacific Rim Uprising
Actor John Boyega considers it an “honour” to portray Idris Elba’s onscreen son in the Pacific Rim sequel because he always wanted to emulate the Thor star’s career.
Idris’ character, General Stacker Pentecost, was killed off in Guillermo del Toro’s 2013 sci-fi movie, and Boyega picks up the story as his wayward son, robot pilot Jake Pentecost, in the followup, Pacific Rim Uprising.
The Star Wars: The Last Jedi actor was thrilled to land the role of Jake, because following in his fellow Londoner’s footsteps onscreen was something he had long aspired to.
“Every morning you wake up to play Idris Elba’s son, you feel slightly more good looking than you naturally would ... so that’s a great thing!” he joked about the new film.
Boyega recently told Good Morning America, “It’s an honour. I mean, for me, Idris Elba is like (superhero) Captain America, he’s just fantastic and the first person in the black British culture to come over (to America) and be a success (in Hollywood) so it’s great.”
The new project also gives Boyega his first credit as a producer for his own company, UpperRoom Entertainment Limited, which he founded in 2015.
“It’s a big step and I’m very excited,” Boyega said, “and the opportunity to do this as our first project is fantastic.”
As Pentecost, Boyega provides comic relief to the monster movie, and it’s one aspect of his personality he’d like to expand on in future film roles.
“I’d love to do a comedy,” Boyega said.
Meanwhile, Boyega is also working toward bringing about positive change in Hollywood by adopting an inclusion rider clause in his movie contracts to ensure diversity in hiring cast and crew for his upcoming projects.