Oscar Isaac Reflects on Challenging Experience in "X-Men: Apocalypse"

Oscar Isaac recently shared insights about his role as the titular villain in "X-Men: Apocalypse" during an appearance on the show "Hot Ones." The 2016 film required Isaac to wear a 40-pound costume along with extensive makeup prosthetics, which he described as "excruciating." Despite being excited to work alongside a star-studded cast that included Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, and James McAvoy, Isaac found that the cumbersome costume severely limited his ability to interact with his co-stars. He noted, “I was so overheated... I just got put in this cooling tent,” highlighting the physical challenges he faced during production.

Variety Magazine

Isaac's experience on set was marked by discomfort and isolation. He explained that he was encased in glue and latex, requiring a cooling mechanism to manage the heat. The actor had to sit on a specially designed saddle, as traditional seating was not feasible due to the constraints of his costume. He described the process of removing the costume as particularly arduous, stating, “they just had to kind of scrape it off for hours and hours.” Despite these difficulties, Isaac has maintained a positive outlook on the film itself, stating, “I don’t disown it,” when discussing its mixed reviews.

Variety Magazine

In his reflections, Isaac expressed a deep appreciation for the character of Apocalypse, stating, “I collected X-Men growing up, and I loved Apocalypse, I just found him such a freaky, weird character.” He acknowledged the challenges of the role but also conveyed a sense of fondness for the experience, saying, “I still think back to that time with fondness.” However, he also wished for a better portrayal of the character, indicating that he felt the film could have done more to develop Apocalypse.

Variety Magazine

Isaac's comments underscore the complexities of portraying a character in a high-stakes production. He recognized the risks involved in taking on such a physically demanding role, stating, “those are the risks.” His reflections reveal a nuanced perspective on the balance between the excitement of working with renowned actors and the physical toll of the role.

Variety Magazine

• “One of the big reasons I did the job, I was like Fassbender? Jennifer Lawrence? McAvoy? All these amazing actors. Yeah! And then I never saw any of them because I was so overheated. And like I couldn’t turn. So, I just got put in this cooling tent,” — Oscar Isaac, Actor

Variety Magazine

• “ Isaac called the “X-Men: Apocalypse” production “excruciating” in a 2018 interview with GQ magazine, explaining: “I didn’t know when I said yes that that was what was going to be happening.” — Oscar Isaac, Actor

Variety Magazine

• “There were these amazing actors involved that I really wanted to work with. I collected X-Men growing up, and I loved Apocalypse, I just found him such a freaky, weird character. And then you get there and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got all these prosthetics on. I’ve got a suit on. I can’t move. I can’t see anybody. I still think back to that time with fondness. I wish it would have been a better film and that they would have taken care of the character a little better, but those are the risks.” — Oscar Isaac, Actor

Variety Magazine

Isaac's candid reflections provide insight into the challenges faced by actors in the superhero genre, particularly when it comes to the physical demands of costume design and character portrayal.

Variety Magazine