Oscar Isaac's $6 million Moon Knight gamble: Why he almost said no to Marvel

Navigating Hollywood’s maze, Oscar Isaac, renowned for his eclectic film choices, found himself at a surprising crossroads when approached for Marvel's Moon Knight. While the prospect of joining the Marvel juggernaut is a dream for many, for Isaac, it was a moment of introspection.

A Role Too Large?

Oscar's journey has seen him traverse the cinematic landscape with movies like Inside Llewyn Davis and Ex Machina. However, Moon Knight presented a challenge that was both tantalizing and terrifying. At a candid roundtable with The Hollywood Reporter, Isaac revealed his initial trepidation. “Is this the stupidest thing?” he mused, contemplating the potential backlash of donning a superhero cape. "Once you throw on a cape… it's like, 'Holy shit. I'm really doing it and committing totally to doing it.'"

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Drawing parallels with Michael Keaton's leap of faith with 1989's Batman, Isaac echoed concerns about the magnitude of taking on a role that could make or break perceptions of his artistic credibility. In his words, “Man, if this [doesn’t work], I’m gonna go down hard with this thing – the level of embarrassment.”

The Rewards of Risk

Despite these reservations, Moon Knight was a venture worth taking, both artistically and financially. With Isaac pocketing a whopping $1 million per episode, totaling a grand $6 million for the series, it was no small gamble. Yet, as the series unraveled, the acclaim it garnered solidified that Isaac's decision was not just financially sound but artistically vindicated as well.

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Moon Knight's success has paved the way for future adventures in the Marvel Universe. While this tale has a triumphant ending, it serves as a reminder of the complexities that lurk behind the scenes, even for Hollywood's elite. It's not just about the glitz and glamor but the very real apprehensions about career trajectories and the weight of expectations.

Oscar Isaac’s journey is a testament to trusting one’s instincts, even when doubt threatens to overshadow them. So, as we toast to cinematic successes and the challenges they overcome, remember that behind every superhero is a very human story.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)