Why Star Wars actor John Boyega felt like Batman

John Boyega had to stay silent about being cast in the new Star Wars film. Photo / Getty

John Boyega felt like Batman while he was shooting Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, because he was living a double life.

The British actor portrays Finn in the upcoming movie, which is shrouded in secrecy ahead of its December release, and Boyega admits the pressure to keep all plot lines under wraps was so great, he was constantly afraid he would give something away.

"Through the audition process we didn't get to take the script home so we had to go to Pinewood [studios in the UK] and learn our lines and then go home," he told US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.

"I felt like I was living a double life, like Batman."

The most interesting thing [about getting the part] was telling my dad. I went home and I was like, 'Dad, I've just been cast in Star Wars'. And he was like, 'OH MY GOD! You are in Star Wars? That is fantastic, I knew it! What is Star Wars?' He didn't know."

Castmate Adam Driver had a similar experience; he got the call inviting him to talk to director J.J. Abrams about the project while he was shooting the end of season two of TV show Girls, and he immediately jumped at the opportunity.

After months of back and forth as he decided whether to sign up or not, Adam couldn't open up about the role.

In fact, he decided to keep the job a secret from his wife - something which was blown when J.J. assumed he'd told her and announced the news in the press.

Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey in the new Star Wars film, found out she had landed the role while she was at the theatre with a boyfriend.

"I hadn't been able to watch the first half (of the play), because I was desperately trying to get in touch with J.J.," she recalled.

"He told me... and then I had to go back into the second half and not tell the guy I was with."

Ridley really knew how to keep the news secret - she's convinced her date for the evening still doesn't know he was dating a future Star Wars actress.

-AAP