RadioTimes.com<\/a> ahead of the film\u2019s digital release. \u201cI was like, wait, what is this? I thought in moments like this I\u2019d be playing stereotypical emotional beats to help suit a bank heist or whatever it is, and it was none of that. And I think that\u2019s quite challenging and something that\u2019s interesting to me.\u201d<\/p>\nHe adds that while it was challenging to get into the mindset of a character in such a dire situation, the work done by first-time director Abi Damaris Corbin was vital in giving him a helping hand, as was the involvement of Brown-Easley\u2019s ex-wife Jessica.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you approach the role, you\u2019re like \u2018Bloody hell how do I understand the character?’\u201d he says.\u201dBut thank god that we were working with Brian Brown-Easley\u2019s ex-wife, and we also worked with other members of the family. Abi had a lot of documentation, a lot of research documents that a normal civilian doesn\u2019t get access to \u2013 she really went deep diving into who this man truly was. And the combination of that is what really, really helped me to get a true idea into how I was going to portray this man.\u201d<\/p>
The film has a real element of intensity to it, largely brought about by the fact that much of the action \u2013 including more or less all of Boyega\u2019s scenes \u2013 unfolds within the four walls of the bank, where Brian is holding several employees hostage and is later involved in a tense police stand-off. Boyega says that the experience was much like doing theatre, and credits Corbin with giving him \u201cincredible freedom to be able to move through the space\u201d. And there was one scene in particular that he says will stay with him for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scene where Brian is in the bathroom, praying with his daughter was just\u2026 Abi really, really helped me out by making it a closed set,\u201d he explains. \u201cI\u2019m very thankful to our crew and every member on set that was there, because I felt like everybody was on my side, and was looking out for me. Like, we can\u2019t be discussing TV and sports while this guy\u2019s getting into character and stuff. And there was just an immense amount of respect and love on that set, specifically for that scene as it was very emotional and intimate. So I will never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something else that will live long in the memory for Boyega was the chance to work with Michael K Williams, the star of The Wire who has a key role as negotiator Eli Bernard in the film and tragically passed away less than a month after shooting wrapped.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was incredible for me, especially being a fan of his previous work,\u201d he says. \u201cThis was a personal request, you know \u2013 when you transition from an actor you have to put the producer\u2019s hat on and you have to kind of bow down to your colleagues and say give us the opportunity. You really hope that actors of his caliber will trust you enough and say, \u2018Cool, let me come down and collaborate with you.\u2019 And Michael did just that and I\u2019ll always be appreciative.\u201d<\/p>\n