John Boyega Exits Netflix Film Mid-Shoot, Citing “Family Reasons”

John Boyega is exiting his upcoming Netflix project, Rebel Ridge, mid-shoot. The film began production in Lousiana just a month ago on May 3, and the streamer cited “family reasons” got in the way of Boyega’s filming commitment.

“Rebel Ridge is pausing temporarily as we look to re-cast John Boyega who needed to leave the project for family reasons,” Netflix spokesperson told Deadline. “We remain committed to Jeremy Saulnier’s extraordinary film and look forward to resuming production. We look forward to continuing our partnership with John Boyega’s UpperRoom Productions, in addition to our upcoming film They Cloned Tyrone in which he also stars.”

Boyega was set as the lead of Rebel Ridge in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic halted productions across the globe. Filming was suppoesd to begin in April 2020, but was delayed a year due to safety precautions. Boyega was meant to star alongside AnnaSophia Robb, Emory Cohen, Don Johnson, James Cromwell, James Badge Dale, Zsane Jhe, and Al Vicente in the action-thriller.

Rebel Ridge has attached Green Room writer-director Jeremy Saulnier to helm the project. The director recently collaborated with Netflix on Hold the Dark, another action-thriller. The plot has been kept largely under wraps, but is said to “explore systemic American injustice in the context of action, suspense and black humor.”

Netflix has another Boyega-led film releasing soon. They Cloned Tyrone, which stars Jamie Foxx and Teyonah Parris, is currently in post-production at the streamer. The film is produced under Boyega’s UpperRoom Productions company, though Rebel Ridge is not under the same umbrella.

Stay tuned for more details regarding Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, which has started hunting for a new lead actor.