John Boyega Reveals Tom Cruise Was The One Who Got Him Cast In Star Wars

John Boyega reveals that Tom Cruise – who he’s never even worked with – was the one who got him cast as Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He may never have appeared in Star Wars, but it seems Cruise has had a surprising impact.

Speaking at a spotlight panel at Emerald City Comic Con (via Popverse), John Boyega revealed that Cruise was the one who encouraged J.J. Abrams to cast him as Finn. “I’m thankful to Tom Cruise, who loved Attack the Block,” Boyega explained. “He was editing Mission Impossible at the time with J.J. Abrams. Tom told J.J., ‘You’ve got to watch this kid in Attack the Block.’ J.J. watched it, and one thing led to another, and four or five years later, I was in the movie.” In some ways, Boyega noted, he owes his career to Cruise.