While Marvel Studios has made it abundantly clear that the MCU's success can translate to a series format on Disney+, the studio has also proven that it has no intentions of repeating itself.
To date, every Disney+ series has been drastically different from the others in regard to its premise, style, and tone, while still contributing to the larger MCU narrative; and that trend looks to continue in a big way with Moon Knight.
Starring Oscar Isaac of Dune and Lucasfilm fame, Moon Knight follows Marc Spector - vigilante dealing with Dissociative Identity Disorder - against an action-adventure backdrop; and now that filming for the 2022 series has wrapped, Oscar Isaac is opening up about his experience.
Oscar Isaac Praises His Challenging Moon Knight Experience
In talking with Variety about his role in Moon Knight, Isaac admitted that "it was the biggest workload I've ever had" but "even yet, I couldn't wait to get set and work."
According to the actor, he told Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige from the beginning that "I'm going to come in with these big ideas, and if you don't like them, that's fair."
Apparently, Feige was on board with Isaac's vision, particularly since, in addition to playing the complex character of Marc Spector, the actor was also serving as one of the show's executive producers, meaning his investment was two-fold.
The Moon Knight star went on to elaborate on Feige and Marvel's reception, saying, "And immediately, we saw it all. I found so much room to do things that I've never done before and had been curious about and wanting to do."
In addition to the freedom Isaac enjoyed during the shoot, it also sounds like he had a great time even though he admits that "it was the biggest workload I've ever had:"
"I could not wait to get to set, and it was the biggest workload I’ve ever had in my career and most challenging, because of the sheer amount of stuff we had to do in eight months, and even yet, I couldn’t wait to get to set and work with Ethan Hawke and May Calamway..."
Is Marvel Studios the New Actors' Studio?
Following The Rise of Skywalker's mixed release, Oscar Isaac didn't seem all that eager to return to his role in that galaxy far, far away. In addition to saying that he only would "If I need another house or something," the Poe Dameron actor also expressed he wanted to "work with people that inspire me."
Well, from what he now has to say about Moon Knight, it's possible that he found just that at Marvel Studios.
While Dune director Denis Villeneuve claims Marvel movies follow a "cut and paste" formula, again, Marvel Studios has produced a string of unique and distinct shows and films this year while further adding to its reputation for working with Indie directors and unknown creators.
In reality, the studio has managed to balance canon and extensive planning with risk-taking and creativity; and Isaac's praise of having "so much room to do things I've never done before" is only evidence of that.
In time, if not already, Marvel Studios may be the new go-to studio for high-caliber actors and Indie creatives, especially since actors are given more of a voice at Marvel in serving as executive producers, just like what Scarlett Johansson did for Black Widow and Tom Hiddleston for Loki.
While the role of a producer no doubt added to the show's challenges for Isaac, it also lent him control and influence both on-camera and behind the scenes. That's something other actors of his caliber are likely to be attracted to if this precedent continues.
Moon Knight is set to release on Disney+ in 2022.
