In the world of moviemaking, it sometimes helps if you can juggle two projects at once. But Oscar Issac's case, the actor was literally working on two films at the same time. Even weirder was the fact that those two films were both sci-fi projects, just so happening to be the box office juggernaut Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the thrilling indie Annihilation. While the tones of both films couldn't be more different, Issac certainly didn't have a problem moving between both worlds, as he admitted to sometimes even filming both movies on the same day. He said:
I would shoot something in the morning and then have a little bit of down time and then switch it up. So that was wild.
That's not the end of Oscar Issac's double duties though, as there were times when his lunch break from Star Wars: The Last Jedi would lead director Alex Garland to snag Issac in the middle of a resting spell to film some material for Annihilation. And even more fun was to be had on the occasion that he would visit the set in his Poe Dameron costume, in order to spice things up a bit. Judging by what's been shown in the trailers for Garland's latest sci-fi bummer, it definitely looks like that costume could have helped on the most frightening days of the shoot.
Shooting both Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Annihilation at the same time was certainly advantageous for both productions, as Oscar Issac and Alex Garland also admitted in the interview with /Film that in addition to both films being on the same studio lot, the fact that Issac already had a trailer for his big franchise gig helped a lot with keeping him ready for surprises. Seeing as the budget for Annihilation didn't have such accommodations built into its budget, it was nice and helpful that alternative sources were at work.
One would have to imagine there may have been moments here and there where Oscar Issac confused which universe he was operating within during a work day. That being said, it looks like both films were absolutely up Issac's alley, with their wildly different stories and tactics offering a complimentary effect towards their individual fates.
For all of you Oscar Issac fans out there, you'll be able to see Annihilation opens in theaters on February 23rd, with Star Wars: The Last Jedi hitting Digital HD, 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD presumably at some point this spring. Though if you're open to other, non-Issac enhanced projects, 2018 has a lot to offer you in its release schedule.
