Actor Refuses to Return to Disney Over Political Stances

Oscar Isaac, the actor best known to millions of Americans as Poe Dameron in Disney’s Star Wars sequels, is now throwing cold water on the idea of returning to the franchise—unless Disney, in his words, stops “succumb[ing] to fascism.”

In a blunt interview with GQ just days after ABC (owned by Disney) suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for mocking slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Isaac took aim at Disney’s corporate politics.

“Right now I’m not so open to working with Disney,” Isaac said. “If they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great.”

While some headlines are praising Isaac’s openness to returning to Star Wars, the full quote reveals deep unease with the company’s actions—and, critics say, a troubling double standard in Hollywood.

The controversy stems from a now-infamous September 15 monologue, when Kimmel quipped about conservatives reacting to the arrest of the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder:

“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 backlash was swift. ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! within 48 hours of the remark—though the host returned to the air on September 23, insisting he hadn’t meant “to make light of the murder of a young man.”

Still, the damage was done. Within days, conservative lawmakers called for boycotts of ABC and Disney, and Isaac—interviewed just two days after the suspension—seemed to side with those who saw the move as performative and politically driven.

Oscar Isaac’s rocky history with Disney predates the Kimmel dust-up. The actor, who appeared in three Star Wars installments between 2015 and 2019, once dismissed the franchise as a detour from his real passion.

“What I set out to do was to make handmade movies,” he told Deadline in 2020. “Working with people who inspire me… I probably wouldn’t return. Maybe if I needed another house or something.”

Now, in 2025, Isaac regrets the remark—but not enough to fully walk it back.

“That was a real likable quote. Jesus Christ,” he told GQ. “People ask you things, you say stuff, you don’t really think about it that much. I said a slightly dickish thing.”

The right wasn’t impressed. Conservative commentator Gina Moore said Isaac’s comments expose the hypocrisy in Hollywood.

“He’s mad Disney suspended Kimmel over an awful, insensitive joke—and yet he’s calling them fascist? These people can’t have it both ways.”

Others say Disney’s handling of Kimmel is too little, too late.

“They suspended him for four days. That’s not accountability—it’s a vacation,” said Turning Point USA spokesperson Lauren Duncan.

Though Isaac says he’s open to a return, the future of the Star Wars franchise is unclear. Disney has yet to announce any firm plans for a new trilogy—and with rising political tension between audiences and Hollywood, the studio may be rethinking its lineup.

Whether or not Isaac dons the flight suit again, his latest comments underscore a growing rift in Hollywood: one where even the biggest stars are forced to take sides.

“I’d be open to having a conversation about a galaxy far away,” he said, “but only if Disney figures it out.”

That galaxy may be further away than ever.

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SOURCE: GQ Interview with Oscar Isaac – November 2025