Following a standout performance, Oscar Isaac talked about what it was like to play one of the antagonists of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, Miguel O'Hara, or Spider-Man 2099.
Isaac explained how O'Hara is a different kind of Spider-Man, which of course, is not a revelation seeing how Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse is all about different variations of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. However, Isaac explained how Spider-Man 2099 stands out compared to the other Spider-Man variants.
Isaac gave his thoughts on O'Hara in an interview with GQ to promote Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. "Yeah, he's got this particular unique quality to him, but there are lots of things about him that I think are very surprising and make him such his own thing. The fangs and claws and this violence that's simmering underneath at all times? He's just a really interesting character." Isaac then detailed how the art style helped bring out O'Hara's character. "The art in this thing is so incredible, but specifically with Miguel. The way that he transforms visually and becomes more feral as things fall apart, I just thought, was so, so amazing."
While O'Hara is not a Spider-Man villain per se - as far as the audience knows - he has an aggressive approach to keeping things in order and is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals. Though his intentions are good, they are not without flaws, like (spoilers) knowingly being willing to let Miles' father die because that's how the story is supposed to happen. While O'Hara fears messing with that will screw up the timeline, he does not know that saving him specifically will worsen everything. He only bases that on previous experience.
It's also what makes him such a good contrast with Miles. Both have opposing views on the best course of action regarding saving people or, in this case, Jefferson Davis. For obvious reasons, Miles wants to save his father from certain death, while Miguel is willing to let it happen because he believes saving Miles' dad will destroy the entire Spider-Verse. Neither is necessarily wrong to feel the way they do because Miles loves his father while Miguel wants to keep everyone else safe at all costs. The former's mindset is "Save everyone you can no matter the cost," while the latter's mindset is, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
But that also adds an element of mystery to the entire story. Are fans sure Miguel is telling the objective truth in this case or just his side? While Miles isn't the traditional Spider-Man, neither is Miguel. Like Isaac points out, he has fangs and claws, which are not typical Spider-Man traits. Fans will likely get more details about O'Hara in the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. However, O'Hara's introduction made Across the Spider-Verse an excellent follow-up to its predecessor.
Spdier-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now playing in theaters.
Source: GQ