Oscar Isaac brought charismatic energy and piloting prowess to the Star Wars sequel trilogy as Poe Dameron, the skilled Resistance fighter who quickly became a fan-favorite pilot alongside his droid companion BB-8. Isaac first appeared as the hotshot commander in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, helping to anchor the new generation of heroes in the galaxy far, far away. His portrayal evolved across the three films, showcasing Poe's leadership, wit, and growth amid epic battles against the First Order. In a recent conversation, Isaac opened up about his time in the iconic franchise, including the highs of its early days and the challenges that followed.
In a recent talk with Josh Horowitz (via CosmicBookMovie), Isaac shared fond memories of the project's beginning. "My favourite part was the experience of doing the first one," he revealed. "It was so wild. There was so much excitement, and everything was new."
"The singularity of that moment was amazing, getting to meet J.J. Abrams, becoming close with him, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley, and reuniting with Adam Driver since he had done Inside Llewyn Davis with Isaac previously. It was all just such an exciting time," Isaac said, highlighting how these early connections helped build a sense of family among the performers, turning long production days into collaborative adventures.
Rian Johnson's divisive contribution to the trilogy, The Last Jedi, reached Isaac during a period of bold creative risks. "Not really. I’ve grown up with fans and geeks. That’s basically been my family, so I know how much ownership people feel over these stories. But I also loved doing The Last Jedi with Rian," he explained. Isaac appreciated the director's vision, which pushed the characters and narrative in unexpected directions while honoring the franchise's legacy.
"Getting to meet Johnson, he’s so laid-back, sweet, and funny. He was really trying to make it his own, and Isaac loved that approach. And getting to have Benicio del Toro in it, too, of course. It was an amazing experience to spend that much time in London. Yeah, it was great," Isaac said.
The now-infamous "Somehow, Palpatine has returned" line arrived in 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, serving as a pivotal plot point that brought the Emperor back into the fold after his apparent demise in earlier installments. The line gained notoriety largely because it delivered the shocking twist with minimal setup or explanation within the movie itself, leaving audiences to grapple with a resurrection that felt abrupt and under-explained after the conclusive ending of Return of the Jedi. The moment rapidly evolved into a widespread meme, frequently cited in discussions about the challenges of concluding a multi-film saga under tight production timelines, and it highlighted how even a single line of dialogue can encapsulate larger frustrations with continuity and creative choices in a beloved franchise.
"Yeah, those were reshoots. We had to do reshoots," Isaac confirmed, reflecting on the intense post-production adjustments. "When I look at it now, I’m like, 'The wig’s pretty good.' I had already cut my hair and everything. Those are like surgical strikes where you come in and try to make sense of it all while they’re scrambling to get everything done. That line was a new addition right at the end, inserted to help bridge narrative gaps amid the film's complex development. Isaac recalled the pressure of these targeted sessions, where the team worked efficiently to refine key elements under tight deadlines."
"There was a lot of movement and flux throughout the whole process," he observed about the production's dynamic nature. "Had you asked me at that moment if I thought that was going to be the one that everyone would remember".
Isaac addressed the possibility of reprising his role as Poe Dameron in future Star Wars projects. "Maybe," he said, leaving the door slightly open without committing to specifics.
