John Boyega says Rian Johnson has made 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' "bigger" and "darker" than 'The Force Awakens'.

John Boyega

John Boyega

Boyega made his debut in the space opera last year under the direction of J.J. Abrams and said the next movie will surpass its predecessor and seriously impress fans.

Though he remained tight-lipped on plot details, the actor - who plays rebel stormtrooper Finn - said: "It (filming) is very easy. Rian Johnson is great. It's a different take, darker, bigger. Someone will say, 'How do you get bigger than 'Force Awakens?', But it's crazy."

And asked what changes are in store for his character, he cleverly dodged the question and joked: "My skin colour does because of the heat on the job! That's me dodging your question because Disney has spies everywhere. If I answer this, I get killed, and I'm not in episode nine."

Boyega was in the South of France to attend the Cannes Film Festival where he and 'Diary of a Teenage Girl' star Bel Powley made their debut and received this year's Chopard Trophy.

During their interview with Variety, Powley revealed she and Boyega had chatted about 'Episode VIII' and she told him that she'd like to play Boyega's love interest, seemingly indicating that Finn isn't set to hook up with his friend Rey (Daisy Ridley) in the sequel.

Asked if she'd like a role in the science-fiction franchise, she said: "Well, now I know that he doesn't have a love interest in 'Star Wars,' I'm like, kind of. It's a possibility. It's an option."

Boyega just about had enough time to enjoy "the view" of Cannes, as he was needed back in London to continue filming on 'Episode 8'.

He revealed: "I'm in the thick of it now so it's nice to be here, see the view and then go back ... I'm going back to 'Star Wars' and after that I'm going to take a break. For like two weeks."

Meanwhile, the actor is set to return to theatre and star in 'Woyzeck' at the Old Vic in London and gave a rundown of his recent projects.

He said: "That starts in January. It's a German play, it's strange to go back to theater. I haven't been back since I started. There's a lot of secrecy around it, but it's an interesting take on the play. And then I shot 'The Circle' with Emma Watson and Tom Hanks. I did that between (Star Wars Episodes) 7 and 8. I think we're coming with 'Imperial Dreams' later this year ... I've been lucky enough that I've been able to run away and do different things."

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