John Boyega Took Harrison Ford to “The Trenches”—And His Bodyguards Freaked Out!

John Boyega has had many unforgettable experiences during his time filming the Star Wars sequel trilogy, but one stands out as a favorite that blends good food, culture, and a bit of mischief. During his Popverse-moderated Spotlight panel at Emerald City Comic Con 2025, Boyega shared the heartwarming and humorous memory of taking Star Wars legend Harrison Ford to a Nigerian restaurant in his local area—a memory that made Ford’s bodyguards extremely nervous.

Boyega recounts the experience fondly, explaining how the legendary actor, known for his iconic roles as Han Solo and Indiana Jones, expressed a desire to experience something from Boyega’s own culture. “I had spoken to him about my dual citizenship, and where I’m from and stuff,” Boyega recalled. “He asked me, ‘I’ve just been eating chicken breast and veggies. I just want to eat something that’s from your culture.’” This simple request turned into an unforgettable cultural exchange as Boyega took Ford to a Nigerian restaurant, introducing him to the flavors of his heritage.

The outing, however, wasn’t as smooth as it might seem, especially when it came to Ford’s personal security. Boyega found his bodyguards visibly anxious as they drove to the restaurant. “His personal security was like, ‘Where are you taking Indiana Jones?’ I was like, ‘I’m taking Indiana Jones to the hood. I’m taking him to the trenches, because he has fans there too,'” Boyega said, with a smile. Indeed, the visit turned into an impromptu meet-and-greet, as a group of Nigerians outside the restaurant spotted Ford and immediately recognized him. “As soon as they saw Harrison, they were like, ‘Oh my god, are you Harrison Ford?’” Boyega recalled. Ford, with his trademark wit, responded, “I used to be.”

For Boyega, this moment perfectly captured the joy of connecting with his culture while also having fun with Ford, a legendary actor, and annoying his security team in the process. In their eyes, Ford will always be Indiana Jones, regardless of his playful comment about “used to be.”

This story was just one of the many memorable moments Boyega shared during his panel, offering fans a glimpse into the unique relationships and personal experiences he’s had while being part of the Star Wars universe. If you missed the panel, you can catch the full conversation in Popverse’s coverage of the event. For those who were there or who plan to tune in, it’s a moment of good food, laughter, and unexpected fandom that makes the Star Wars experience even more special.