In 2018, John Boyega was “exhausted, frantic, and paranoid.” He promised to come back stronger than ever

John Boyega has described a period when the demands of rapid Hollywood success left him exhausted and considering leaving acting. He sought advice from Robert Downey Jr, whose experience with a major franchise and personal hardship helped Boyega think about building a stronger sense of identity in the industry.

Boyega said he had accepted work fearfully, worried opportunities might disappear, and became a millionaire by around 22 or 23. Alongside a punishing workload, he faced racist online abuse after joining the Star Wars films, which he says Disney did not prepare to shield him from. He later relied more on friends and family, pursued projects through his production company UpperRoom, and appeared in Breaking and They Cloned Tyrone.