Pedro Pascal is preparing to reinvent one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, as he brings his portrayal of Reed Richards to life in Marvel Studios’ upcoming reboot, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Known for his paternal roles in major franchises, Pascal aims to deliver a fresh perspective on the character, making his Pedro Pascal MCU Reed Richards portrayal highly anticipated.
Pascal’s Approach to a Legendary Marvel Character
This new chapter for the Fantastic Four introduces Pascal as the fourth actor to take on Reed Richards, following the footsteps of Alex Hyde-White, Ioan Gruffudd, Miles Teller, and John Krasinski. Each brought unique qualities to the stretchy super-genius, but Pascal has given careful consideration to their portrayals as he prepares for this pivotal role. Rather than intentionally distancing his portrayal from previous versions, Pascal aims to integrate the legacy of the character into his own performance. As he explained to Vanity Fair,
“I’ll confess, I didn’t come at it with any sort of attempt at distinguishing it from previous authorships,”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Pascal finds it essential to draw from the entire history of Reed Richards in order to create an authentic interpretation.
“I need all of the context and all of the information to kind of like — it’s silly to use the word ‘spiritually’ — but to spiritually kind of like enter into an experience, because I can’t compartmentalize.”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Acknowledging the character’s established legacy, Pascal continues,
“It’s all happened. It’s all been seen and done before by many,”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, underscoring his desire to encompass the character’s rich history within his imagination.
Building a Family Dynamic with a Star-Studded Cast
The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings together an impressive ensemble, with Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (the Thing). For the first time in a live-action Fantastic Four film, Sue Storm is depicted as pregnant, with Pascal’s Reed Richards anticipating fatherhood, thus adding new layers to the team’s family dynamic. The significance of joining an established universe like the MCU is not lost on Pascal, who reflected on his journey:
“It’s been a dream to join the MCU,”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He also expressed the joy of being part of a close-knit group:
“to be invited into a family and to also just kind of step into what is an ensemble, the movie is called The Fantastic Four.”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Despite leading the team, Pascal sees himself as just one part of an outstanding group.
“If there was a competition of who’s funniest, who is smartest, and who is the most talented, I’m number four. And I’m not even being modest here.”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He went further to praise his co-stars’ talents, stating,
“I have never been around, how dare they, I’ve never been around such talented f—ers in my life,”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, calling Joseph Quinn “astonishing,” describing Ebon Moss-Bachrach as “one of the funniest” and emphasizing Vanessa Kirby’s exceptional energy:
“Vanessa Kirby is a force of nature.”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Reed and Sue’s Relationship Enters New Territory
While John Krasinski’s brief portrayal of Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness referenced the character as a father in an alternate universe, this reboot marks the first time that moviegoers will see Reed and Sue as a married couple with a son, Franklin Richards. The film’s storyline centers on family, growth, and the fears that accompany change. Pascal described how his work with Vanessa Kirby enriched their portrayal:
“Kirby was a leader for me in terms of getting into material like this and elevating it as much as we could, and making our relationship as real as it could possibly be,”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He explained that their focus was to tell a genuine marriage story:
“I have no idea what they’ll end up using [in the finished cut], but what she and I put into it was really a marriage story for us in the most human way: keeping a family together, starting to expand on that family, the fear of that.”
—Pedro Pascal, Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Challenges Facing Marvel’s First Family
Directed by Matt Shakman, known for steering WandaVision, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired world. This new MCU installment introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm — as they confront daunting threats while grappling with personal challenges. The heart of their story lies in balancing their responsibilities as superheroes and the complexities of their family bond.
The film’s synopsis paints a vivid picture:
“Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner),”
—Marvel Studios synopsis. As the threat escalates, the stakes become even more personal, with the plot noting,
“And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”
—Marvel Studios synopsis.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Pascal’s Reed Richards in the MCU
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to open in theaters on July 25, marking a significant milestone for Marvel Studios as it reintroduces its original superhero family to a new generation. Pedro Pascal, alongside his cast mates, will return as these beloved characters in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and again for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, further anchoring the Fantastic Four within the evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With a heightened emphasis on familial bonds, a talented cast, and a unique vision behind the camera, the Pedro Pascal MCU Reed Richards portrayal is set to mark a turning point for both the character and Marvel’s cinematic storytelling. As fans await the film’s release, anticipation continues to build for this reimagined and emotionally resonant take on Marvel’s First Family.
