Oscar Isaac Says the Cast of Star Wars: Episode IX is Going Off Script

Star Wars has been thrilling fans for more than 40 years. Episode IX will be the third film featuring Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, and Poe. Now that we know these characters, there’s a little more room for experimentation. They can break from the rigidity of establishing the major players and move into feeling out just what these roles can offer the story. Oscar Isaac, who plays ace X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron, is excited to take a step away from the script and just see what happens.

Isaac told IndieWire that Episode IX is a little less rigid than previous installments have been. Director J.J. Abrams is encouraging the cast to go off script.

“The way they’ve been shooting it right now is looser than it’s been for the last two times,” Isaac said. “It does feel like a relief to get on set and feel like, ‘Oh, we can try things.’ It’s a testament to J.J. coming back and feeling confident. There’s less pressure for it to be right. We just want to make a good movie and have a really good time while doing it.”

Isaac went on to emphasize that the improvising is a strength, not a weakness. It really is one of the most difficult forms of performance. “Often, you do feel like you’ve got to find your way to make something more alive, but this time, it’s been the opposite,” he said. “There’s no need to smuggle anything in there.”

Of course, one of the most famous moments of dialogue in all of Star Wars was famously improvised. In The Empire Strikes Back, Leia (Carrie Fisher) tells Han (Harrison Ford) “I love you.” He coolly responds with the unscripted line, “I know.” It’s a moment so iconic that Disney even made a special pin series of the immortal line.

Improv often makes things more humorous or exhilarating as the story goes to unexpected places. However, it can also make things more authentic. Now that Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Isaac, Adam Driver and the rest of the cast are more comfortable in their roles, magical things could happen. Not to mention, they’re all immensely talented and it makes sense that Abrams would encourage them to bring the closing chapter to new levels.

Star Wars: Episode IX opens December 2019.

Featured Image: Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Photo: Jonathan Olley. ©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.