The actor also discussed being inspired by Mick Jagger and Prince for his performance in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
Oscar Isaac showcased his musical talents on The Tonight Show last night, performing Tears for Fears’ “Shout” on the bagpipe and “Sweet Caroline” on electric bass. Host Jimmy Fallon enlisted the Frankenstein actor for the “Random Instrument Challenge,” which saw them playing songs for house band the Roots to guess.
Isaac completely failed to play the bagpipe, but was successful on the electric bass and later on banjo when he teamed up with Fallon to perform Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration.”
Isaac appeared on the late-night show to promote Frankenstein, a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. Speaking to Fallon about the film, Isaac reflected on working with del Toro and his co-star Jacob Elordi, who plays Dr. Frankenstein’s creation.
He described the film as “this incredible, passionate, high melodrama” version of the story. “It’s an opera,” Isaac noted, adding of the filmmaker, “He’s really made it a biography of his own life.”
The actor explained that del Toro encouraged him to portray the titular character not as a mad scientist, but as an artist, telling Isaac “to be like freaking Mick Jagger.” He also incorporated Prince after the costume designer presented him with high-heeled boots. “I watched some videos of him,” Isaac said. “I couldn’t help it.”
After the chat, Isaac took the opportunity to perform a song called “Damn Tour,” which he co-wrote with his son for their band Fleece.
Frankenstein hit select theaters on Oct. 17 and will stream on Netflix on Nov. 7. Rolling Stone‘s David Fear wrote of the film, “Personal doesn’t begin to describe it, nor does passionate. It’s neither del Toro’s best nor his worst, but this feels like the movie he was born to make, and the one he would have died trying to get done. … Oscar Isaac‘s Victor Frankenstein is part 18th-century dandy and part swaggering Swinging Sixties rock star, as if Lord Byron had been genetically spliced with Brian Jones.”
