J.J. Abrams -- Some of My Best Friends Are Black Stormtroopers

"Star Wars" director J.J. Abrams did his best to kick up more 'Black Stormtrooper' debates by hanging out with the guy at the center of it ... like they were Obi-Wan and Luke back in the day.

Abrams and John Boyega -- the alleged stormtrooper -- were side-by-side as they cruised into an L.A. event together Thursday night. Sooo ... does their bro-ing out session mean Boyega plays a much bigger role in the movie than fans thought? Hmmm ... curious, you are.