John Boyega, a British/Nigerian actor who featured in the Nigerian movie Half of a Yellow Sun, has been selected to play a leading Jedi role in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII.

After partaking in an intensive casting process, which lasted several months, Boyega defeated Ed Speleers, Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher in landing the role.

Boyega is one of a few newly announced cast members – a list that includes Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow and Daisy Ridley – who will join the returning franchise cast members: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker.

Director JJ Abrams commented, “It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”