Oscar Isaac Open to Star Wars Return if Disney Changes Course

Oscar Isaac expressed willingness to reprise his role as Poe Dameron in the Star Wars franchise, but only if Disney changes its current approach. The actor, who portrayed the daring X-wing pilot in three Star Wars films between 2015 and 2019, made these remarks ahead of the world premiere of Frankenstein at the Venice Film Festival in late August, citing concerns about Disney’s recent decisions that affect his potential collaboration with the company.

The Impact of Disney’s Actions on Isaac’s Stance

Isaac’s openness to a Star Wars return became complicated after Disney’s ABC network suspended Jimmy Kimmel following controversial comments Kimmel made about the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. This event occurred shortly after Isaac’s initial statements about returning to the franchise, leading him to reconsider working with Disney under its current practices.

Oscar Isaac’s Latest Comments on Working with Disney

In a subsequent interview with GQ, Isaac provided further insight into his position regarding the Star Wars franchise and Disney. He said,

“Yeah. I mean, I’d be open to it, although right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great… if that happens, then yeah, I’d be open to having a conversation about a galaxy far away. Or any number of other things.”

This response reveals his current hesitation but leaves the door open for future discussions if Disney’s corporate culture changes.

Context of Disney’s Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel

The timing of Isaac’s interview with GQ was just two days after ABC and Disney suspended production on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in reaction to Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. Kimmel made a pointed comment during his September 15 monologue, stating,

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

This led to his suspension. Upon returning to air on September 23, Kimmel addressed the controversy emotionally:

“to make light of the murder of a young man.”

Oscar Isaac’s Earlier Hesitation Toward Star Wars

Isaac previously expressed reluctance to continue with the Star Wars series. In a 2020 Deadline panel after the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, he reflected on his initial reservations, noting that participating in large franchise films was not his original career goal. He stated,

“Star Wars movies were not really what I set out to do.”

He emphasized his preference for more intimate, handcrafted films by saying,

“What I set out to do was to make handmade movies, and to work with people that inspire me.”

Nevertheless, Isaac left a small possibility open by joking about needing to return if he sought financial gain:

“[Maybe] if I need another house or something.”

Regret Over Publicly Sharing His Opinion

Reflecting on his past comments, Isaac acknowledged to GQ that he might have been unwise to make his opinion on Star Wars so public. He confessed,

“Yeah. That was a real likable quote. Jesus Christ. Y’know, people ask you things, you say stuff, you don’t really think about it that much. I said a slightly dickish thing.”

This candid admission underscores the tension Isaac feels regarding his career choices and public expectations surrounding major franchises like Star Wars.

Possible Implications for the Star Wars Franchise and Isaac’s Future

Isaac’s current hesitation to work with Disney places uncertainty over his future appearances as Poe Dameron. Given the actor’s influence and the popularity of his character, any decision about rejoining the Star Wars saga would significantly impact the franchise’s direction. Should Disney address Isaac’s concerns and alter its policies, the door remains open for his return, which could excite fans eager to see the character back in action.