Star Wars’ John Boyega praises the Academy’s new direction

Danny Pape

30 Jun 2016

John Boyega has praised the Academy after their selection of new members in response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

683 people from across the industry, including Boyega himself, have been invited to join the Academy. 46% of which are female, and 41% are non-white. Boyega expressed his happiness at the news on Instagram:

“I’m deeply humbled by the honour of being an inductee of @TheAcademy alongside such formidable and diverse talent, I wish a huge congratulations to all the new members also. This is a shift in a positive direction. Always a blessing to be one of the many Oscar voters that will hopefully spark change.” he wrote.

This is a shift in a positive direction.

The Academy’s male majority is now set to drop from 75% to 73%, while white members will decrease from 92% to 89%.

The Academy’s invite list also includes the Wachowskis, Oscar Isaac, Idris Elba, Tessa Thompson, America Ferrera, Brie Larson, Michael B. Jordan, and Ryan Coogler amongst many others.

Provided by the Academy.

The Academy may have a long way to go, but let’s hope this is the first step towards a more diverse lineup at this year’s Oscars.