Oscar Isaac Calls Out Disney Leadership And His Complicated ‘Star Wars’ Future

Could Poe Dameron ever make a comeback in the "Star Wars" universe? Actor Oscar Isaac says he's not ruling it out, but there's one big obstacle standing in the way: Disney. In a new interview, the "Frankenstein" star clarified recent comments he made about returning to the galaxy far, far away, saying he'd be "open" to reprising his iconic X-wing pilot role, but not under Disney's current leadership. The remarks come after the studio temporarily pulled Jimmy Kimmel off the air following his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk's death, a move that Oscar Isaac suggested reflected larger issues within the company.

Isaac didn't hold back when asked about potentially returning to "Star Wars."

"Yeah. I mean, I'd be open to it," he told GQ. "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."

According to GQ, the interview took place two days after ABC and Disney suspended production on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in response to Kimmel's controversial on-air remarks about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The suspension that Isaac appeared to reference occurred in mid-September, when ABC temporarily took Jimmy Kimmel off the air following a monologue about Kirk's death.

During his September 15 broadcast, Kimmel quipped, "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."

The remark drew backlash online and prompted ABC's decision to suspend "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for several days. When Kimmel returned to air on September 23, he addressed the controversy directly, saying it was never his intention "to make light of the murder of a young man."

Isaac's GQ comments came just two days after that suspension began, timing that adds context to his jab about Disney "succumbing to fascism."

This isn't the first time Isaac has commented on his complicated relationship with the "Star Wars" franchise. Back in 2020, just months after The Rise of Skywalker wrapped up the sequel trilogy, the actor told Deadline that the blockbuster experience wasn't what he originally envisioned for his career.

"What I set out to do was to make handmade movies and to work with people that inspire me," Isaac said at the time, adding that he'd "probably" never return to "Star Wars," "unless I need another house or something."

Five years later, Isaac is taking a more nuanced view of those earlier remarks. He admitted to GQ that he probably shouldn't have been so blunt back then.

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

Despite his past comments, Isaac's willingness to revisit the Poe Dameron role signals that he hasn't completely closed the door on the "Star Wars" universe, even if he's not currently eager to work under Disney's banner.

Isaac first joined the "Star Wars" franchise in 2015's "The Force Awakens," reprising his role as the fearless pilot Poe Dameron in "The Last Jedi" (2017) and "The Rise of Skywalker" (2019). Since then, he's focused on a variety of acclaimed projects, from Marvel's "Moon Knight" to the new "Frankenstein," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in late August.

While fans would love to see Poe Dameron back in the cockpit, Isaac made it clear his return depends on one thing, and that is whether Disney can "figure it out."

For now, it looks like the galaxy far, far away will have to wait.