With numerous great achievements under their belt, Oscar Isaac has proven himself to be one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. After playing a handful of supporting roles alongside A-list talent – and under the direction of top-notch filmmakers – Isaac’s acclaimed lead role in the Coen brothers‘ InsideLlewynDavis brought him new heights of recognition as an actor. Immediately after his Golden Globe-nominated performance, the actor landed the role of fighter pilot Poe Dameron in Disney’s starWars sequel trilogy, an enviable opportunity that presented itself to him after a meeting with the filmmaker JJ Abrams. However, Isaac was initially hesitant to join the movie galaxy far, far away when he learned of the character’s planned career path.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

When a new threat to the galaxy emerges, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, a former stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca in search of the only hope of restoring peace.

studio

Walt Disney Pictures

Duration

138 minutes

director

J.J. Abrams

Oscar Isaac didn’t want his Star Wars character to die

When he was talking to JJ Abrams for the Paris film Care de Flore, Oscar Isaac had a sneaking suspicion that their conversation was about the upcoming star Wars project. As expected, Abrams began by laying the groundwork for a character named Poe Dameron, a Han Solo-like pilot whose rebellious exploits would lead audiences through the first moments of what would later become Star Wars: The Force AwakensAs a fan of the popular franchise, whose first The visit to the cinema was The Empire Strikes BackIsaac was immediately fascinated when he caught a glimpse of The Force Awakens‘ top secret script. But as the actor read on, he was dismayed to discover that Dameron’s contribution to an ongoing intergalactic struggle would be crucial but short-lived.

“He dies,” Abrams said of Dameron’s ultimate fate after the film’s opening sequence. Isaac made a compelling case that he did not want to portray a character who would suffer an untimely death“I’ve done that before,” he said GQ. “Create the storyline for the main character and then die spectacularly.” In fact, a quick look at Isaac’s career reveals a success story – from The body of a lie To Drive To The Bourne Legacy — playing characters who were unceremoniously dismissed long before the credits rolled. Abrams sensed the sudden disappointment, admitting, “I guess that’s not what you were hoping for when you got on a plane to Paris.” However, hoping to keep Isaac interested, the filmmaker made a creative decision that would significantly impact his film and the actor’s eventual involvement.

JJ Abrams expanded Oscar Isaac’s role in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

Although Oscar Isaac was given the chance to join one of cinema’s most popular franchises, he wasn’t sure if he should take the chance after meeting JJ Abrams. “I went home and thought about it,” he said GQ. Ultimately He decided the role was too good to turn downdefended the decision by realizing that his character’s early death meant he didn’t have to commit to a film trilogy. “I thought it was a cameo,” he explained. When he contacted Abrams about accepting the role, Isaac was thrilled when he discovered that his performance in The Force Awakens would be much more than a cameo.

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“It doesn’t matter,” Abrams told the actor. “I figured it out. You’re in the whole movie now.” Thanks to Isaac’s diplomatic yet assertive lobbying Abrams revised the film’s script to not only have Poe Dameron survive the first act, but also play a prominent role. under The Force Awakens‘ ensemble of fresh faces. Abrams later acknowledged that Isaac’s objections to Dameron’s initial fate were key to the decision to give the character a multi-film arc. “I loved working together,” he said. “People like Oscar are the people you listen to.” Through their open and productive dialogue, Abrams and Isaac paved the way for one of the Star Wars sequel trilogy’s most memorable and consequential additions to the long-running franchise. And Isaac, to his credit, proved that being aloof can pay off for an actor.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available in the US on Disney+

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