John Boyega's rise to the top has been a fast one.

Before this year, he was just a normal guy from Peckham, but after being cast as Finn, a leading character in JJ Abrams upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he's reached superstardom. Now, everybody knows his name and we only have to wait until December to see him in action on the big screen.

Here's an exclusive preview of Boyega's cover interview and shoot...

On auditioning for Star Wars: "I was unleashed into seven months of auditions. It was like

The X Factor but without the TV show around it. It was intense."

On reading the script for Star Wars: "When I read the script I cried, and I'm not really a big crier... I'm more like a frog-in-the- throat kind of guy, who'll try to hold it in and make sure I don't let it all out."

On his role in the movie: "Finn is dope. His story is so epic. It's a story that's never been seen before, but it also mirrors the stories of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. And he's quirky and charismatic and funny. For me, he was the best character in the script."

On using a lightsaber: "They're heavy, those things, and there's a lot of running involved. I was trained on a high incline treadmill so when it came to it I could sprint around the desert in a leather jacket.

They should do a Star Wars weight loss program."

Read the full article in the A/W '15 issue of GQ Style, on sale now* in print (£6.50) and as a digital edition that you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire or Android device now.*

Words Boyd Hilton

| Grooming Gary Gill

| Photo assistants Guillaume Blondiau and Alex Craddock | Stylist's assistants Christina May and Jonathan Mitchell

| Digital Operator Jeanne Buchi

| Tailor Alice Ratcliffe at Chapman Burrell | Production KO Productions

| Lighting Big Sky Studios

| Location Omega Place**

**