Actor John Boyega has responded to racist criticism following the release of a trailer for the latest Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, in which he appears to play a stormtrooper.
The 22-year-old British actor posted the message on Instagram yesterday, thanking fans for their support and ending with the note: "To whom it may concern…Get used to it."
Mr Boyega's role has generated almost as much talk as the trailer itself.
Supporters responded on Twitter with the hashtag #BlackStormtrooper.
In the Star Wars series, stormtroopers were originally clones of Jango Fett, an ethnic "Mandalorian" played by New Zealand-born actor Temuera Morrison.
Later in the storyline, stormtroopers were recruited from general populations, making a stormtrooper of any race feasible.
As fans continued to dissect the trailer, many also pointed out Boyega might not even be a stormtrooper; he could be a rebel in uniform.
Either way, fans will have to wait a bit longer to find out more.
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