Pedro Pascal is rapidly becoming one of Hollywood’s most dedicated actors, with a busy slate in 2025 that includes Season 2 of The Last of Us, Materialists, and Eddington. His next major role will be as Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This film marks Pascal’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), where his character is set to lead the Avengers in upcoming projects like Avengers: Doomsday. Pascal’s preparation for this role highlights the physical and mental efforts required for a superhero role, bringing attention to his profound Pedro Pascal Marvel fitness journey.
Actors portraying Marvel heroes undergo rigorous physical training to embody their characters convincingly. While some like Chris Hemsworth built muscle mass by emphasizing protein intake to become Thor, others, like Brie Larson for Captain Marvel, focused on agility and jump training. Pascal’s approach was unique, involving trusted guidance to overcome challenges and build the strength and confidence necessary to play Mister Fantastic.
Adapting Training to Overcome Injury Challenges
Pascal’s fitness preparation was complicated by a significant injury he sustained early in 2024. Photographed frequently with an arm sling during awards season, he was recovering from a dislocated clavicle, fractured scapula, and tendon issues. Faced with the decision of undergoing surgery, which might have delayed his training and performance, he chose to heal naturally. This decision dictated a highly specialized training approach.
Jason Walsh, Pascal’s longtime trainer from Rise Movement in West Hollywood, played a vital role in this process. Walsh first connected with Pascal during the filming of The Great Wall alongside Matt Damon, establishing a rapport that led Pascal to trust him implicitly with his Marvel preparation.
Walsh described the early stages of Pascal’s rehab:
“We didn’t pressure him to do too much in the beginning,”
and added,
“It was really, can we get the wheels greased and get him back into, psychologically, a place where he was confident and understood that you can actually make progress and put the body back together.”
This careful approach allowed Pascal to gradually regain physical capacity and mental assurance, crucial to performing demanding stunts later on.
Eventually, Pascal resumed full physical activities. Walsh noted,
“Now, we’re at a point where we’re doing all the major moves,”
and,
“And for the most part pain-free and pretty stable and strong.”
Choosing to avoid surgery proved successful, as Pascal restored his arm’s function sufficiently to take on his superhero role without further setbacks.
Details of Pedro Pascal’s Customized Workout Plan
Contrary to what some may expect, Pascal’s training did not emphasize flexibility to mirror Mister Fantastic’s stretchable powers, which are achieved through CGI effects. Walsh revealed,
“To be completely honest, when it came to training for that specific character, I didn’t think about it one time. Not one time.”
Instead, the workouts focused on foundations of strength and stability, tailored specifically to Pascal’s recovering body. Exercises were designed to rebuild his physical capacities and reestablish confidence, starting with basic movements like lunges that Pascal had mastered prior to the injury. This repetitive method reinforced both body control and mental fortitude.
Nutrition was another key factor in Pascal’s transformation. Walsh introduced his plant-based protein product, RISE311, which Pascal publicly praised on social media for its digestibility and taste, calling it delicious. This dietary adjustment supported Pascal’s recovery and ongoing fitness needs throughout the demanding preparation period.
Restoring Confidence Alongside Physical Strength
The core challenge in Pascal’s fitness journey was not simply building muscle or improving endurance; it was restoring the actor’s confidence in his body’s capabilities after a significant injury. While technology like CGI and stunt doubles assist in creating the illusion of superhero abilities, Pascal was required to perform many of his own stunts, including wire work for scenes set in space, making physical readiness essential.
Walsh emphasized this psychological element in Pascal’s rehab:
“Honestly, I think what I’m most proud of is to get him to regain confidence in his body,”
and further explained,
“To get him on the other side of [the pain], where he realizes that that wasn’t necessarily the way it’s gonna be.”
Dietary changes complemented this journey. Pascal lost about 25 pounds between the first and second seasons of The Last of Us by giving up comfort foods and altering longstanding habits, a demanding shift that Walsh described as “tough” but necessary for progress. Pascal’s physical appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps reflects this dedicated transformation, marking a new chapter in both his Marvel fitness journey and acting career.
Preparing for the Future of the MCU with Pedro Pascal
Despite the injury threat, Pascal managed to stay on course for an intense shooting schedule, with Walsh confirming there were no further injury setbacks during the filming of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and subsequent reshoots. Walsh reported,
“We got through the whole movie without any injuries,”
continuing,
“So we went from ‘Fantastic Four’ last year, finished that up, came back, did some reshoots early on this year, and then rolled right into ‘Avengers,’ which is really cool.”
This steady foundation will support Pascal’s performance as Reed Richards in the upcoming MCU projects like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, with the possibility of additional Fantastic Four installments on the horizon. The ongoing collaboration between Walsh and Pascal remains strong, with Walsh expressing deep admiration for the actor:
“I feel lucky to have him in my life, he’s been a great friend,”
adding,
“He’s just the salt of the earth. He’s just one of those guys that’s just a beautiful person inside and out and supportive and empathetic and compassionate.”
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled for release in theaters on July 25, offering audiences the chance to see how Pedro Pascal’s hard work and resilience have culminated in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut.
