British actor John Boyega was a relative unknown before “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” took over the global box office this past weekend. But the 23-year-old found that by Saturday, he needed some extra security to get around Manhattan.
Boyega was at a matinee of musical “The Color Purple” near Times Square when “he needed help from theater security just to get into the theater,” our source said.
The night before, Boyega was popping up at “Star Wars” screenings around town to surprise fans.
Spies said that when he showed up at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square, about 20 fans followed him out as he high-tailed it to the next theater.
Later in the weekend, he headed to London for more press events.