Oscar Isaac's Star Wars Return: A Big Condition for Disney

Poe Dameron actor Oscar Isaac just clarified what it would take for him to fly an X-wing again, and it involves Disney's corporate stance following a major controversy.

TL;DR

Oscar Isaac is "open" to reprising his Star Wars role as Poe Dameron, a change from his previous hesitations.
His return comes with a significant caveat: he's "not so open to working with Disney" unless they "not succumb to fascism."
This condition is directly linked to Disney's controversial suspension of Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night host's comments on a political event.

A Galaxy Far, Far Away... With New Conditions

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Imagine Poe Dameron, the Resistance's top pilot, looking out at the stars, but this time, his gaze isn't on an approaching First Order fleet. Instead, he's pondering corporate ethics. That's essentially the vibe Oscar Isaac, the actor behind the beloved X-wing ace, is giving off regarding his potential return to the Star Wars universe.

In a recent interview with GQ, published November 10, 2025, Isaac laid out a clear, if surprising, condition for donning that flight suit again. He stated he'd be "open to it," but added a significant qualifier: "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."

"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."

— Oscar Isaac, GQ Interview (Published November 10, 2025)

Poe Dameron's Journey and Oscar Isaac's Evolving Stance

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Oscar Isaac portrayed the daring Poe Dameron across three Star Wars films in Disney's sequel trilogy: The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He even lent his voice to the animated Star Wars Resistance series. His portrayal quickly made Poe a fan favorite, known for his charm, piloting skills, and unwavering loyalty to the Resistance.

Interestingly, Isaac’s enthusiasm for a Star Wars return hasn't always been so direct. Back in 2020, he famously quipped on a Deadline panel that he’d "probably" only consider coming back "if I needed another house or something," noting that big franchise films weren't "really what I set out to do" as an actor. He wanted to make "handmade movies" and work with inspiring people.

In his recent GQ chat, Isaac walked back that earlier remark, admitting, "Yeah. That was a real likable quote. Jesus Christ. You know, people ask you things, you say stuff, you don’t really think about it that much. I said a slightly dickish thing." This shows a shift, indicating a more open mind toward a potential future in that galaxy far, far away.

Unpacking the Jimmy Kimmel Controversy and Its Ripple Effects

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So, what prompted Isaac's new, very specific condition for working with Disney? The GQ interview notes that it took place just two days after Disney-owned ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in mid-September 2025. This suspension was a direct result of comments Kimmel made during his monologue about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel had joked, "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterise this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them." This quickly spiraled into a heated public debate, with strong reactions from across the political spectrum. (Source: GQ interview, Nov. 10, 2025)

The fallout was swift and significant. Brendan Carr, the pro-Trump chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), explicitly threatened the licenses of Disney and local broadcasters airing Kimmel's show, stating ominously, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." This direct pressure from a government official raised serious concerns about free speech and potential government overreach, even prompting Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, to call Carr's comments "dangerous as hell."

Former President Donald Trump, a close friend of Kirk, publicly celebrated Kimmel's suspension as "great news for America." When Kimmel was reinstated four days later on September 23, 2025, Trump criticized ABC as "a true bunch of losers!" This high-profile political involvement transformed a late-night joke into a national debate about corporate censorship and media independence.

The Entertainment Industry's Response and Disney's Tough Spot

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Disney, caught between political pressure and a furious entertainment community, explained its decision to suspend Kimmel by stating they wanted to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country" and felt "some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive." (Source: USA Today article, Nov. 10, 2025) However, this explanation did little to quell the outrage among many stars and creatives, including Pedro Pascal, Mark Ruffalo, and Olivia Rodrigo, who publicly supported Kimmel.

The backlash went beyond social media posts. Tatiana Maslany, who plays She-Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (also a Disney property), urged fans to cancel their subscriptions to Disney-owned services like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. Damon Lindelof, creator of the popular ABC series Lost, vowed not to work with Disney+ again unless Kimmel was back on air. Reportedly, Disney+ and Hulu cancellation rates doubled after Kimmel's suspension. (Source: The Guardian article, Nov. 10, 2025)

The situation put Disney CEO Bob Iger and head of television Dana Walden, who reportedly made the suspension decision, in a difficult position. They had to balance their corporate image, financial interests, and the growing concerns within the industry about artistic freedom and political pressure. This is the complex landscape Oscar Isaac is navigating when he talks about Disney needing to "not succumb to fascism" – a powerful phrase reflecting a concern about external political influence on creative freedom.

Understanding Oscar Isaac's Conditions: Nuance and Trade-offs

While Isaac's comments are striking, it's worth noting a couple of nuances. Firstly, he isn't entirely new to Disney's ecosystem. Besides Star Wars, he also starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Moon Knight for Disney+. This suggests his stance might be more about specific corporate actions and policies rather than a blanket refusal to work with the company itself.

Secondly, Kimmel was reinstated just four days after Isaac's interview. One could argue that Disney, by bringing Kimmel back on air, did "figure it out" to some extent. The company engaged in "thoughtful conversations" with Kimmel, leading to his return. However, the initial suspension itself, and the context of external pressure, seems to be what spurred Isaac's critique.

For Disney, the trade-off was clear: placating a powerful political figure and avoiding potential FCC action versus upholding journalistic (or comedic) freedom and retaining the trust of its talent. Their chosen path, however brief the suspension, clearly sent a message to some, including Isaac.

A Fan's Dilemma: Example Scenario

Imagine a long-time Star Wars fan like Sarah, eagerly awaiting news of future projects. When she hears Oscar Isaac's comments, a small part of her wonders: "Does this mean more Poe? Or is this just going to tie up the franchise even more in real-world politics?" She loves the escapism of Star Wars, but she also respects actors who stand by their principles. It puts her in a strange spot, wanting more content but also understanding the reasons for a creative's hesitation when corporate ethics come into play. It highlights how these behind-the-scenes decisions directly impact audience experience and anticipation.

Beyond Star Wars: Oscar Isaac's Current Endeavors

While the Star Wars question looms, Isaac is far from idle. He’s currently promoting his role as Victor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro's latest dark fantasy film, Frankenstein. The movie, also starring Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz, premiered in Los Angeles on October 6, 2025, and became available to stream on Netflix on November 7, 2025. Isaac’s involvement in such a high-profile, critically anticipated project reinforces his commitment to "handmade movies" and working with inspiring talent.

Practical Takeaways: What This Means for You

Don't Hold Your Breath (Yet): While Isaac is open to a Star Wars return, his specific conditions mean it's not a done deal. Disney will need to demonstrate a consistent stance on corporate independence to win him over.
Corporate Actions Have Consequences: The Kimmel controversy shows how corporate decisions, especially regarding free speech, can have wide-ranging impacts on talent relations and public perception.
The Force of Fan Sentiment: The reported surge in Disney+ cancellations after the Kimmel suspension indicates that viewers also pay attention to how major studios handle such situations.
Keep an Eye on Hollywood: This incident reflects a broader trend of creatives speaking out on social and political issues, often challenging the very studios they work for.

FAQ: Your Quick Answers

When did Oscar Isaac play Poe Dameron in Star Wars?
He played Poe Dameron in three films: The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
What is Oscar Isaac currently promoting?
He is promoting Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, where he plays Victor Frankenstein. The film is currently streaming on Netflix since November 7, 2025.
Why was Jimmy Kimmel suspended by Disney?
Jimmy Kimmel was suspended in September 2025 by ABC and Disney over comments he made on his show about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, which Disney deemed "ill-timed and thus insensitive."