Pedro Pascal has addressed the reactions to his casting as Reed Richards in the upcoming Fantastic Four, acknowledging the increased scrutiny and feedback compared to his previous roles. The Pedro Pascal Fantastic Four casting reaction has sparked significant discussion since it was confirmed he would lead the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next entry as Mr. Fantastic.
Reactions to Pascal’s Role as Mr. Fantastic
Following the casting announcement in 2023, Pascal noted that the level of public response surpassed what he had experienced in any of his prior performances.
I’m more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I’ve ever done,
—Pedro Pascal, Actor. Some audience members voiced concerns ranging from Pascal’s fit for the role to his appearance.
‘He’s too old. He’s not right. He needs to shave.’
—Pedro Pascal, Actor.
Pascal steps into the role of Reed Richards, previously portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd in the 2005 Fantastic Four film, Miles Teller in the 2015 reboot, and John Krasinski in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where Krasinski’s version existed in a parallel universe.
The Challenge and Path to Casting
Despite his experience in major projects like Star Wars and The Last of Us, Pascal described taking on this Marvel character as especially challenging. He received a direct offer from director Matt Shakman, a moment that Pascal characterized as unexpectedly transformative in his career. The actor’s earlier casting as Joel Miller in The Last of Us was met with wide acceptance, which he implied made the current scrutiny over Mr. Fantastic more pronounced.
Industry Support and Marvel Cinematic Universe Plans
The support system within the Marvel community has been notable for Pascal. He revealed that Robert Downey Jr., who is set to appear as Dr. Doom and is well known for his influential Marvel roles, reached out with support and encouragement, describing Downey as generous and welcoming.
Pascal is set to reprise his role as Reed Richards alongside the rest of the Fantastic Four in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. This development fits comic book history, where Dr. Doom is a central adversary to the Fantastic Four, suggesting their storyline will play a key role in future Marvel Cinematic Universe entries.
Looking Ahead to the Film’s Release
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled for release in theaters on July 25, 2025. The project continues to generate anticipation and conversation among Marvel fans, given the involvement of prominent figures like Pedro Pascal, director Matt Shakman, and Robert Downey Jr. With the cast assembled and the Marvel narrative expanding, interest in how Pascal will make the role of Reed Richards his own remains high as the release date approaches.
