John Boyega Goes From ‘Star Wars’ To London’s Old Vic Stage

John Boyega is going from space battles in “Star Wars” to earthbound struggles onstage at London’s Old Vic Theatre.

The theater says the 24-year-old actor will get his first West End starring role in “Woyzeck,” the story of a soldier who commits an act of brutal violence. The new version of Georg Buchner’s 19th-century drama is written by Jack Thorne, the playwright behind “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

Boyega, who played Finn in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” is currently filming the eighth installment in the sci-fi saga.

The play, which opens in February 2017, was announced Wednesday as part of the Old Vic’s 2016-2017 season.

The lineup also includes a production of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” starring Glenda Jackson and a 20th-anniversary revival of Yasmina Reza’s global hit “Art.”