Star Wars actor John Boyega has hit out at trolls – just days after director Rian Johnson was forced to defend Boyega’s co-star, Kelly Tran. 

“If you don’t like Star Wars or the characters understand that there are decisions makers and harassing the actors/ actresses will do nothing,” he wrote on Twitter. “You’re not entitled to politeness when your approach is rude. Even if you paid for a ticket!”

“To the majority of Star Wars fans, thank you for supporting and putting yourselves in our shoes. You understand that there is a process, so much appreciated!”. 

The first woman of colour to play a leading role in a Star Wars film, Tran had been subject to months of racist and sexist abuse from Star Wars fans. She eventually deleted her Instagram and Twitter accounts to avoid the trolling. 

Director Rian Johnson has also taken a stand. In a thread he started with the tweet “What we talk about when we talk about manbabies”, Johnson defended the franchise from angry fans.

“On social media a few unhealthy people can cast a big shadow on the wall, but over the past 4 years I’ve met lots of real fellow SW fans,” he wrote. “We like & dislike stuff but we do it with humor, love & respect. We’re the VAST majority, we’re having fun & doing just fine.”

Mark Hamill’s response was similarly refreshing, simply telling trolls to “get a life”. 

We couldn’t agree with you more, Mark.

Image: LucasFilm