Thanks to Oscar Isaac's new role in the latest Marvel release, the actor is now in an elite class of stars when looking at superhero movie history.
Isaac made his MCU debut in 2022 as one of Marvel Studios' darkest heroes ever in Moon Knight, shining a light on Dissociative Identity Disorder while helping to provide some of the most intense action sequences Marvel Studios has ever seen.
This marked his long-awaited and unexpected return to the greater Marvel universe, as he also took on a villainous role as Apocalypse in 2016's X-Men-centric movie, X-Men: Apocalypse.
Oscar Isaac Makes Marvel History
Oscar Isaac made Marvel history with his voiceover role as Miguel O'Hara/Spider-Man 2099 in Sony Pictures' most recent movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which premiered in theaters on June 2.
Isaac becomes the first actor in history to play three separate Marvel characters in major roles within three different sub-franchises under Marvel, having previously been the headliner as En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse in 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse and as Marc Spector/Steven Grant in 2022's Moon Knight.
While he first played Spider-Man 2099 in 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, he only appeared in that movie's post-credits scene.
It should be noted that Mahershala Ali has had three Marvel roles: Aaron Davis aka The Prowler in the Spider-Verse franchise, as well as Luke Cae's Cottonmouth and the titular Blade in the MCU.
Ryan Reynolds has also played three Marvel roles in the form of Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity, and Wade Wilson and Juggernaut in the Deadpool movies.
However, Isaac's position is unique in that Reynolds' Juggernaut isn't truly a leading character in his movie, in addition to the fact that Isaac's roles span three separate sub-franchises under Marvel, unlike Reynolds' and Ali's characters which only cover two.
Isaac is therefore one of nine actors to play at least two different major Marvel roles in the MCU and other franchises, the rest of which can be seen below:
- Chris Evans: Human Torch & Captain America
- Josh Brolin: Cable & Thanos
- Michael B. Jordan: Human Torch & Killmonger
- Hailee Steinfeld: Gwen Stacy & Kate Bishop
- Gemma Chan: Minn-Erva & Sersi
- Jon Favreau: Foggy Nelson & Happy Hogan
- Evan Peters: Quicksilver & Ralph Bohner
In addition, several other actors have played multiple MCU roles, albeit in smaller capacities, such as David Dastmalchian's Kurt and Veb in the Ant-Man franchise.
Isaac's trio of characters is rather unique too, given the fact that he has portrayed prominent roles in projects produced by Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Sony Pictures, the three major studios to own theatrical rights to different Marvel characters.
When Will Oscar Isaac Return to the Marvel Universe?
With his time in X-Men: Apocalypse didn't leave a good taste in his mouth, Isaac has been quite complimentary about his experience in the MCU as well as his chance to voice an exciting new character in Sony's Spider-Verse.
Now, the big question is when exactly he'll find his way back onto the big or small screen with the red brand, especially considering where both of his current characters stand in their respective stories.
While rumors have pointed to Moon Knight being in line for a second season, nothing is confirmed from Marvel's side, and the story itself ended in a difficult scenario with Khonshu honoring his deal to leave Marc Spector for now.
As for Sony's animated web-slinger movies, it would be shocking if Isaac didn't reprise his role as Spider-Man 2099 in 2024's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, especially considering the major cliffhanger that helped close out the most recent movie.
Safe to say, the next few years should see a whole lot of Oscar Isaac in one Marvel role or another, even though there are no indications specifically pointing to where he will show up next.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now playing in theaters worldwide. Both Moon Knight and X-Men: Apocalypse are streaming on Disney+.
