Oscar Isaac appeared on The Tonight Show on Monday, October 20, to promote his role as Dr. Victor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming remake of the classic Frankenstein story. Known for his serious roles in films like Dune, Inside Llewyn Davis, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Isaac showed off a lighter side as he took part in Jimmy Fallon’s Random Instrument Challenge, highlighting his playful personality and musical skills.
Unexpected Bagpipe Struggles with a Classic Tune
During the musical game, Isaac was tasked with playing “Shout,” the 1984 Billboard No. 1 hit by Tears for Fears, on a bagpipe. Initially unsure how to manage the instrument’s mouthpiece, Isaac’s effort ended in amusing failure, producing sounds more akin to a British ambulance siren than a pop anthem. Drummer Questlove joked that the sound resembled Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” sharing a lighthearted moment on the show.
More Musical Fun with Varied Instruments
After Fallon demonstrated an impressive rendition of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” on the harp, Isaac took another turn by playing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” on a stand-up bass, an effort quickly identified by Questlove. The relaxed jam session highlighted Isaac’s versatility with music, blending humor with genuine talent.
Family Band ‘Fleece’ and Musical Inspirations
Fallon brought up Isaac’s previous appearance, during which Questlove gave Isaac’s son, Eugene, a drum lesson. Upon returning home, they found a Questlove-branded drum set, fueling Eugene’s interest in drumming and inspiring his younger brother Mads, aged six, to join in. Isaac and Mads later formed a band named Fleece, releasing a seven-song EP. The cover features a playful image of Mads wearing a vest and drawn-on facial hair alongside his father in costume. Mads provides vocals and drums for the group, with song titles such as Hi-Hat Man, Fat Daddy, and Lucky Dude on Fire.
Isaac performed the song “Damn Tour” live on the show, accompanied by The Roots. He sang:
“I’m gonna drum til the rain, it drops/ I’m gonna drop, I’mma man it up/ I’mma drop ’cause I just can’t stop,”
showcasing his musical side in an engaging performance.
Exploring Victor Frankenstein’s Rock Star Persona in Guillermo del Toro’s Film
Isaac discussed the unique approach director Guillermo del Toro took with the Frankenstein story. Rather than portraying Dr. Victor Frankenstein as a purely scientific or reserved figure, del Toro framed him as an emotionally expressive, artistic “rock star” character. Isaac explained that del Toro rejected a naturalistic portrayal in favor of a high-energy, melodramatic interpretation.
“He’s not a scientist, he’s an artist. He needs to be expressive,”
Isaac relayed del Toro’s vision, describing the director’s instruction:
“So I want you to be, like, freakin’ Mick Jagger,”
a comparison that Jimmy Fallon easily embodied with a playful impression. Additionally, Isaac sought inspiration from Prince, watching videos to capture the flamboyant style needed for the role, saying:
“I watched some videos of him, I couldn’t help it.”
Film Release and Streaming Details
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, featuring Isaac as Dr. Victor Frankenstein alongside Jacob Elordi’s creature, is currently showing in select theaters and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting November 7.
