Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Moon Knight!

Oscar Isaac’s contract with Marvel technically comes to an end with the finale of Moon Knight, but this does not mean that the hero’s return is impossible. Providing a cold introduction to an entirely new character, Moon Knight is a first for Disney+ – whose prior series have been anchored to noteworthy heroes, including Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Yet Moon Knight focuses on a more obscure Marvel comics character – Marc Spector (Oscar Isaac) – a mercenary with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), with Isaac garnering praise for his ability to play both Marc and his alter, Steven Grant, with nuance and depth.

However, the hero’s immediate future is at risk due to Isaac’s limited contract. Turning from their previous obligations, Marvel Studios no long require MCU actors to sign 9-movie deals when they first take on a role in the world’s most financially lucrative universe. This means that, unlike the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Tom Hiddleston, Isaac’s contract with the studio is not reliant on the actor returning for future MCU appearances, potentially limiting Moon Knight’s onscreen representation to a single Disney+ series.

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The idea that Moon Knight may not return is a worrying concept considering his immediate impact on contemporary culture, but Isaac’s contract may not be the definitive blow to the character’s future that some believe it to be. Considering both Marvel Studio’s history with getting actors to return to roles after signing limited contracts as well as the important role that Moon Knight is still yet to play in the coming phases of the MCU, it is unlikely that Moon Knight’s successful first season will be the end for the hero. Putting fears of contractual obligations aside, the studio’s history suggests that Moon Knight is here to stay.

Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector in Moon Knight episode 4

Historically, actors signing up for an MCU project would be dedicating themselves to multi-film deals, potentially dominating a decade or more of their acting careers. This, however, is a model that the studio is beginning to change. Tom Holland’s agreement as Spider-Man provides a clear example of this, as after the rampant success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the status of Holland's MCU contract appears much more flexible, with the actor describing future appearances as an "open conversation." Moon Knight’s success pales in comparison, but its nonetheless positive reception suggests that the studio may take a similar approach with Isaac and provide him with a future contract as and when they find the opportunity to introduce the hero into the wider MCU.

The prospect of Moon Knight’s MCU future gains further credibility when considered alongside how important he could be to later franchise projects. Key to this is the show’s established lore which could mark the hero’s return if utilized to a large extent. Moon Knight Episode 4 expanded the universe’s concept of Egyptian mythology, providing the gods with an important role in the MCU’s future wars (should Galactus attack). A similarly positive outlook for the character’s future could lie in his role as a part of Marvel’s street heroes, joining the likes of Daredevil and Jessica Jones as heroes focused on stopping smaller-scale criminal activity – potentially ushering in the return of the MCU’s Kingpin.

The limited nature of Isaac’s contract is understandable as a cause of concern, but the chances that Moon Knight episode 6 will be his last MCU appearance are slim. Moon Knight has received a positive critical reception and, based on Marvel Studio’s history in such situations; this provides an optimistic outlook for the hero’s future. With a multitude of comic storylines to adapt into either a further season or a feature film, Moon Knight’s role in the MCU is likely not over just yet.

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