John Boyega Reveals Tom Cruise Got Him Cast in Star Wars: “I’m thankful to Tom Cruise”

Tom Cruise is known for his action-packed movies, but he also had a surprising influence on the Star Wars franchise. According to John Boyega, who played Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Cruise played a key role in helping him get cast in the film—despite never having worked with him before.

During a panel at Emerald City Comic Con 2025, Boyega shared how it all happened. “I’m thankful to Tom Cruise, who loved Attack the Block,” he said, referring to his breakout 2011 film. “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.”

Boyega credits Cruise for giving him a major boost in Hollywood, though he admits he’s not interested in joining the Mission Impossible franchise. When asked if he’d like to appear alongside Cruise in an action-packed spy film, he jokingly declined. “I ain’t doing all of that, Tom. But I would easily be the man in the chair.”

While Boyega is grateful for his Star Wars journey, he has been vocal about why he won’t return to the franchise. In past interviews, he has expressed frustration over how Finn’s character was handled after The Force Awakens, feeling that he was sidelined compared to other leads. “I’m not coming back,” he told fans in 2022, explaining that he wants to focus on other creative projects that allow him more control over his roles.

The idea of Boyega and Cruise sharing the screen remains an exciting possibility. Perhaps one day, they will team up for an action film—just not one that requires Boyega to do extreme stunts!