Pedro Pascal continues his ascent as a Pedro Pascal Marvel rising star, now receiving notable praise from Robert Downey Jr., his co-star in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, which is currently being shot at Pinewood Studios in the U.K. The movie, set for release in December 2026, features Downey stepping into the villainous role of Doctor Doom and Pascal returning as Reed Richards, a character he introduced in his Marvel debut, Fantastic Four: First Steps, releasing this July.
Downey and Pascal Build Connection On-Set
During the production of Avengers: Doomsday, Robert Downey Jr. has been actively involved in cast dynamics, inviting actors for “homework days” at his residence to foster collaboration and scene work. Pascal, when asked to elaborate on these sessions, responded with, “Very good question.” The shared experience on set has allowed the two actors to develop a close rapport as they prepare to face off in the highly anticipated Marvel installment.
Downey Steps Into New Marvel Territory
In a significant shift for Marvel fans, Downey transitions from his iconic portrayal of Iron Man to take on Doctor Doom, the chief antagonist in the new film. Pascal, meanwhile, steadies himself against both the pressures of his growing fame and online scrutiny related to his casting as Reed Richards. Amidst the challenges, Robert Downey Jr. publicly commended his colleague.
“Pascal’s slow trajectory to becoming a household name who is on a wildly hot streak kind of reaffirms my faith in our industry,”
—Robert Downey Jr., Actor
Pascal and Kirby Describe On-Set Bonds
Pedro Pascal reflected on Downey’s supportive approach during the demanding process. He remarked on Downey’s generosity and openness, sharing his appreciation for the safe environment Downey created for his co-stars, particularly as Pascal navigated criticism around his casting as Reed Richards—comments suggesting that he was too old or not the right fit for the role inundated social media and fan circles.
“He’s just so immediately generous and inviting that you feel like you can be afraid, you can be hungry, you can be ambivalent.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
Pascal added that Downey’s forthrightness and vulnerability encouraged trust and camaraderie within the group, highlighting the actor’s lack of pretense.
“He doesn’t have much armor, so he shows himself to you straight away, and you trust that person because he’s revealing himself to you in this very brave way,”
—Vanessa Kirby, Actress
Friendships Extend Beyond the Marvel Set
Other colleagues, such as Bella Ramsey, spoke about the intensity of public attention surrounding Pascal. Ramsey, known for working alongside Pascal on HBO’s The Last of Us, expressed her discomfort with the “daddy” moniker given to Pascal on social media and revealed her desire to shield him from the downsides of internet fame.
“Daddy is a state of mind. I’m your daddy.”
—Pedro Pascal, Actor
Ramsey admitted to feeling concerned for Pascal amid the online jokes and memes, emphasizing that there is much more to the actor than his internet persona.
As Marvel’s next chapter unfolds both on and off screen, the cast’s testimonies paint a picture of camaraderie and resilience in the face of fame. The anticipation surrounding Pedro Pascal Marvel rising star status only appears to be intensifying, especially as industry veterans like Robert Downey Jr. publicly express restored faith in Hollywood’s evolving talent. Pascal’s journey and the new dynamics established among the Avengers: Doomsday ensemble may signal a shift in the superhero franchise’s future, reflecting on both the opportunities and the pressures actors must now navigate.
