The fallout from Disney’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel isn't over, as it continues to ripple far beyond late-night TV. One beloved Star Wars actor recently hinted that he’s not eager to work with Disney again, a surprising twist for fans hoping for his long-awaited return to the franchise.
That actor is Oscar Isaac, the man behind ace pilot Poe Dameron. As one of the few universally loved characters to emerge from the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Isaac’s portrayal of Poe stood out as a highlight even among critics of the trilogy’s uneven storytelling. His charm and humor drew comparisons to Han Solo and made him a fan favorite across the fandom.
But in the wake of Disney-owned ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel after his on-air remarks about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Isaac doesn’t sound like he’s in a hurry to rejoin the franchise and reboot his relationship with Disney. Speaking about the possibility of returning to Star Wars, Isaac told GQ that there are conditions tied to a Star Wars return.
"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. But if that happens, then yeah, I’d be open to having a conversation about a galaxy far away. Or any number of other things."
His comments clearly reference Disney’s handling of the Kimmel controversy, given the interview with GQ came just two days after ABC took Kimmel off the air. They also added Isaac to an expansive list of actors who criticized the entertainment company for what they viewed as an overreaction. Several high-profile stars who’ve worked with Disney on Star Wars and Marvel projects voiced frustration that Kimmel could be sidelined over political blowback and advertiser pressure. In addition to Isaac, Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, and Natalie Portman have all expressed support for the late-night host.
Like Pascal and Portman, Isaac is an A-list star with feet both in the Star Wars and Marvel universes. So if he's on the outs with Disney, it could also make the MCU future of Moon Knight a little more cloudy.
Disney may have to rethink how it handles Jimmy Kimmel going forward
The company’s brands depend on both creative talent and a massive, diverse audience. Yet the decision to silence (even temporarily) one of late-night’s biggest names over a political issue has introduced the risk of alienating talent like Oscar Isaac and throw future projects into doubt.
For fans, Isaac’s hesitance hurts. Poe Dameron was one of the few elements of the sequel trilogy that united audiences rather than divided them. Five years ago, Isaac suggested only money would motivate a Star Wars return. Some fans hoped the passing of time would soften that position, and to his credit, Isaac admitted a much. But Disney's decision with Kimmel appears to have set things back once again.
So maybe Disney will rethink how it handles Kimmel in the future considering what else is at stake. It seems as if late-night TV now carries significant weight in shaping the entertainment industry, especially when politics are involved. Kimmel’s suspension has unexpectedly influenced conversations about freedom of speech and corporate interference.
Kimmel may have forgiven Disney and happily returned to his job. But a similar reunion with Oscar Isaac may be far, far away.