Episode VIII will be bigger & darker than The Force Awakens says John Boyega

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Much like the "creative differences" line that studios continually drop when someone leaves a project, referring to a sequel as "bigger and darker" is as common as the cold. John Boyega is in the middle of shooting Rian Johnson's STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII, but the young actor was able to take some time out and show up at Cannes to receive this year’s Chopard Trophy, which was also presented to Bel Powley (DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL). Variety caught up with Boyega at Cannes and was able to ask him a few questions about the upcoming film.

It’s a different take, darker, bigger. Someone will say: “How do you get bigger than ‘Force Awakens?'” But it’s crazy.

Bigger and darker is fine, so long as the fun of STAR WARS isn't left behind. Variety also questioned Boyega on the developing romance between Finn and Rey (Daisy Ridley) and how that romance might evolve in the next installment. However, John Boyega responded that neither Daisy nor himself played up the romance aspect in THE FORCE AWAKENS and that it may not go the way people suspect it will.

Finn and Rey – they’re just friends. Finn is a storm trooper, so he doesn’t really know what’s going on. So the romance thing is something that’s going to be interesting in the next installment. It’s not going to go the way you think it’s going to go.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII is due to hit theaters on December 15, 2017.