At the time, Boyega’s talent agency, CAA, also represented “Iron Man” star Robert Downey Jr., who is no stranger to this sort of fame. So he sent an email to Downey’s agent saying, essentially, “Hi, I’m John. I’m going to be in ‘Star Wars.’ If he has time, can Robert Downey Jr. mentor me?”

He wasn’t exactly sure that it would result in anything, but figured it was worth a shot. Later, Boyega remembers he was driving in London when he got a call from an unknown number.

“Who’s this?” Boyega demanded.

“It’s Robert,” the voice said.

“Robert who, man?”

“Uh, Robert, Downey Jr.”

“I’m like, oh crap! Iron Man!” Boyega recalled. “I had better park up.”

They talked for two hours that day. It was the start of a true friendship that’s since resulted in more hours-long chats, hang-outs, and even a chicken and waffles date.

“Good lord we get deep,” Boyega said of their conversations. “For the most part it’s definitely private, but in general, his thing has always been inner peace and how to deal with this on a mental level. Taking care of your mental health is something that he talks to me about.”

“He’s really changed my life with his advice.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS:  How John Boyega got Iron Man as a Mentor.

JOHN: “I see him as the great Obi-Wan, and I’m his Padawan.” 

(via rdjnews)