John Boyega - "Breaking"

on what we've seen you do before. It's really intense and it's a really powerful story that I think comments on what's going on in America today. Talk me through it, like how did you get into this project and what made you go, Yeah, you know what, this is the next movie for me. I read an amazing script that

to me just kind of jumped off the page. The character of Brian is so com okay, it complicated his situation and his circumstance going to the bank trying to demand his money back from the Veterans Affairs was something that was just interesting. Um. And it's just a combination of who you're working with, Nicoleba, Harry Selena's Michael Kay Williams. You know, this is a cast that made me definitely

get out of bed. Yeah, no, yeah. You know, you know what a lot about a story like this is, you know, is that one it's based in the truth, you know, that's the first thing. And secondly, you can see the humanity in the story telling. You have this man who goes, I've served this country, I thought for this country, the story many veterans haven't use and then

they come home and then their country. Yeah, it was it was actually shocking to even hear about the story, and and shocking that I hadn't heard about it, you know, in a sense that it happened in two thousand and seventeen and this is just literally a few years ago, and it's something that none of us kind of happened

under our nose. But to hear the detail about what vets are going through when they come home, that integration back into public life, it's it's kind of complicated for me as an actor, you know, I'm just play a small part in the jigsaw puzzle and exposing such a story and sspected. I think what you also do really well is you you you humanize the character you know, so, so it's not just a veteran It's not it's not just a situation. This is about a human being who

who who is in the situation. I mean you you talked, for instance, to the real version of the characters like like his, his, his ex wife, and you talked about the journey. What did you learn about the human being that you're going to be portraying on the screen. She she told us so many gems and it's specifics. As an actor, I want to hear how this man smoke. I want to hear about his interests. He was very

much into movies, nerds stuff that I'm into. His voice quite timid most of the time, so in scenes like Abby would remind me, our director would remind me. Remember what Brian's wife said, he has a quite timid voice, his walk. You know, we have CCTV for each documentation about the case, and that ll just helps to inform you know, the performance, and that's what you know. I used to go through his Brian, you did a great

job and doing it. And as you say, like the team that's working with you, I mean, everyone deserves to be lorded. But you know, obviously you know Michael Kay Williams, you have a legend Whio we last? Yeah, you know, this is I think it will be the last film that we get to see him. Think so he might he might have one after. I'm not sure, but this is this is one of the last, at the very least year. The story getting to it was amazing because if if I understand correctly, you basically have to beg

them and you have to Trevor. I begged him. I have to beg you know, they showed me respect when I come and he shows and say, yeah, you're you're requested for him to be in the Molle you know, No, it was you know, I had to beg him as such such a versatile actor and the actor that doesn't need to come and shoot my small little indie movie for two dollars and fifty cents, you know what I mean. So it was it was me just asking him to collaborate, to come in and do a few weeks work, and

he just showed up on set. He was he was down to do it. And for me, I grew up watching The Wire, I grew up watching Boardwalk Empire, so to see you know, Michael Kay Williams walk on set to be motivated and ready to shoot. I was just like, yeah, this is this is a dream that's come to Did he know what a fan you were of his? Like you you've got like a DVD box set of the

Wire trempor can't mind Trevor Man. You know even when I reached that to you on text and I let you guys know, Man, you know, I'm one of those people that I have so many people, especially black individuals for me who are inspiring to look up to. Um. So yeah, I'm gonna let you know why You're still hear that, Yo, your inspirational and I have to tell you, I have to tell him straight up and show show him that love. And I'm glad I've got those moments

with him and it's beautiful. And that really is beautiful. I like that. I've always said, like anyone who is Nigerian has the ability to inspire the best in you as a human being. That's what you bring out. Absolutely, you just got that thing to say, criminals. I mean you have motivistion good oh man speaking off by the way, speaking of Yo, Like, we were so excited as soon as I saw you in a movie with Viola Davis in Biddle from South Africa. I was just like, when

when does the movie coming down? Saw me in a movie? Yes, and so yeah, that movie comes out September six. The Woman King is with Viola Davis Man. Yeah, look it looks it looks crazy. I was actually at the AMC at the Grove the other day and that both trailers came up. Breaking trailer came up before Brad Pitt's Bullet Train and and and also the Woman King and the Woman King trailer got around of applause from from the audience.

I was tempted to say, but I left that there for the audience to just say, enjoyed this story that I think it's just going to be so so epic for everybody. Talk for you doing the story as well as you know. You know, I fell in love with you like most people did with Attack the Block, you know. I was just like, there's one of the most amazing movies.

There's a sequel, and I hope it's true. But I've always loved how you can seamlessly moved between accents, how you embody a character, how you change who you are. But this, if I'm if I'm correct, is the first film where you get to be like your family. You get you know what I mean, you get to embody like your your your mother tongue, you get. You know. I use my dad's voice for the for the king role, and it's yeah, yeah, yeah, you know. I even wanted to grow a bit of a belly, so you know,

to emphasize that. But it was, it was. It was such a pop part role as as an African man playing a king, but also playing a king who who loves these people, who loves his women and supports them and bands protected by these women. What's for me great? I mean normally we get into movies and you know, male lead wanted to be the number one movie start to do all the action that's overrated. I liked the women doing everything. I said, I don't get it, don't

get it. Um So that that was fun. I can't I can't wait for you guys to see that movie. It's amazing. Before I let you go, I would love to talk about the break that you took. You know, John Boyegan, like you launched onto the scene you came on. Everyone was loving you as an actor as as as a I mean as a guest on shows. You just have this magnetism. And then I distinctly remember you saying I'm going to take a moment. How do you maintain the courage to say no, John? First? And then I'll

get back into my career. I just got to a point where I was like, life needs a sense of balance, um, and sometimes you you go towards something and you achieve it, but there's no fulfillment because you've forgotten about the most important which is the most important thing, which is the self.

And in thinking about that, I was just like, yeah, I need to sort me out first, so when I get to a certain stage and when bigger opportunities come that I'm genuinely ready for it and not intimidated by And honestly, I twiddled my toes and my little furry socks, went on holiday, I had some good times, and then I relaxed and got got my stuff sorted, got in the gym, got reading, got into a routine, and I think a lot of us need to do that right just to get back into healthy. Yeah, man, yeah, break

right now. Listen, gentlemen, make sure you watch movies The Daily Show with Trevor no Ears editions. Subscribe to the Daily Show on YouTube for exclusive content and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Plus. This has been a Comedy Central podcast