From a South London block to a galaxy far, far away... A look back at the roles that led John Boyega to Star Wars: The Force Awakens

His was the first face seen in the new Star Wars trailer and it won't be long before John Boyega becomes one of the most recogniseable actors on the planet.

The London-born actor is one of many new additions to the Star Wars universe, along with Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac who were also both seen in the Episode VII: The Force Awakens trailer.

MailOnline takes a look back at Boyega's career to see just how he ended up in a galaxy far, far away.

Rising Star: John Boyega is the first character seen in The Force Awakens trailer and is set to be one of Hollywood's most recogniseable faces

British talent: The actor trained at the Identity School of Acting in East London

Having studied at the Identity School of Acting in East London, John went on to appear in various small plays before landing a role in Becoming Human - the web spin-off BBC Three's Being Human.

That same year, in 2011, the actor landed a guest spot in Law & Order UK as well as his first feature role in British sci-fi comedy Attack The Block.

John played Moses, the leader of a teen gang terrorising the residents of a South London council estate.

He told Interview magazine that his first taste of a film set was like being a child again. 

'[It] was incredibly fun... I just always compare it to being a kid and running around and imagining things that aren't there,' Boyega said. 'It's the same thing, just in a professional, controlled environment.'

John went on to star in British drama Junkhearts opposite Eddie Marsan and Romola Garai, and landed the lead role in Spike Lee and Oscar-winner John Ridley's HBO drama pilot Da Brink.

Sadly the TV series, based on the early life of Mike Tyson aspiring to become a boxer in a supposedly post-racial America, did not get picked up by the network.

TEAM: John with fellow Star Wars newcomer Daisy Ridley and J.J. Abrams 

Acknowledging that Da Brick was his 'first bit of attention in Hollywood', Boyega was disappointed that the show was passed on. 'Part of me is frustrated by it,' he told the Metro last year. 

'Acting careers don’t come out fully formed - not unless your name is Jaden Smith and your dad has done it all.'

The pilot's failure of course didn't deter the British actor, who the following year starred in the TV Movie My Murder then opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton in the period romantic drama Half Of A Yellow Sun set during the Nigerian Civil War of the Sixties.

However after appearing in My Murder has a delinquent teenager trying to clean up is act, and a few years later in the Sundance Film Festival selection Imperial Dreams as a ex-con trying to become a novelist, John admitted he wanted to get away from urban roles. 

Breakthrough: As gang leader Moses in Attack The Block, Boyega got his first taste of success

Boxed in: With roles in urban movies My Murder and Imperial Dreams, John is trying hard not to be type-cast in the genre

'My biggest challenge is to not do urban movies for the rest of my life, those alpha hoodies,' Boyega told the Metro.  

'I like diversity and doing this is the first role where people will see me in a different light... I’m done with all the urban stuff. You get sent these urban movies and it’s the same old thing.'

John certainly has steered clear of the gritty genre, with a four episode role in the rebooted 24 series Live Another Day, as a US fighter pilot.

But it's another military uniform Boyega has worn that has really got the world's attention in the first trailer from Star Wars Episode VII. 

Range: John appeared in  Half Of A Yellow Sun opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor

Looking frantically around a barren desert, a sweating John is in a stormtrooper suit (minus the helmet); insinuating that the Galactic Empire didn't collapse following the Battle of Endor in Return Of The Jedi. 

His co-star and fellow Londoner Daisy Ridley is also seen making a quick getaway on a similarly sandy planet (Tatooine?), and it seems the two bonded during their time on set.

Boyega has Instagrammed numerous photos of the pair, as well as with the film's director J.J. Abrams, and a few behind-the-scenes snaps as the production got underway.

The explosive trailer for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

It is believed the actor's role is a on the light side of the force, and it's clear a lot of training was involved to play the part as he posted a snap of himself sitting in a big of ice as Daisy poured more water in. 

'It's honestly insane when I get into reflection mode and seriously think about the fact that I have joined the Star Wars universe,' John posted online. 'I just can't wait till the movie comes out! JJ is doing amazing things so far!' 

While the world awaits for December 2015 to arrive, John is gearing up to star as Titinius in the big screen adaption of William Shakespeare's classic tale of ambition, betrayal and murder in Caesar.

They're back: The first picture of the new and returning Star Wars cast sent the internet into a frenzy

Sticking together: John has been documenting his time on the Star Wars set and it seems he and fellow London Daisy have bonded over the months

However, judging by his T-shirt collection, there's another universe Boyega wants to explore, and that's the one created by Marvel Comics.

Sadly, he's lost out on his ideal hero role of Black Panther to Get On Up star Chadwick Boseman but as he has more than his fair share of Captain America memorabilia, he could always end up as the black cap Isaiah Bradley.

Judging by his career trajectory so far, it wouldn't be a long shot to see him leading a franchise of his very own. 

Comic nut: John is hoping he could be starring in the Marvel universe in the future after he returns from a galaxy far, far away

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