Pedro Pascal, widely recognized for his roles in major television and film projects, expressed strong dissatisfaction with his facial appearance in the 2020 movie Wonder Woman 1984. Playing Maxwell Lord, Pascal adopted a clean-shaven look that he later described as appalling. The actor conveyed his distress over the drastic change from his typical facial hair styles, highlighting how uncomfortable he felt with this unfamiliar appearance.
Pedro Pascal earned renown through his portrayal of Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, where his character’s distinctive goatee became part of his signature look. He also played the DEA agent Javier Peña in the Netflix series Narcos, maintaining a mustache that contributed to his on-screen persona. However, for the role of the antagonist Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot, Pascal shaved his facial hair completely.
Reflecting on this radical change, Pascal admitted that he
“grow[s] such shit facial hair, but if I were to shave it all off… I really look very [awful].”
Sharing this candid sentiment emphasized the actor’s discomfort with the clean-shaven image, which contrasted sharply with his usual rugged look.
Pascal’s Mixed Feelings About Wonder Woman 1984 and His Appearance
Despite his displeasure with his clean-shaven face, Pascal strongly supported the film Wonder Woman 1984 and the experience of working on it. He enjoyed collaborating with Patty Jenkins and acting alongside Gal Gadot, but he could not reconcile his personal style preferences with the demands of his character’s look.
In an interview, he revealed,
“[I] strongly disagree with a clean-shaven me. I was so appalled by the way I look in ‘Wonder Woman 1984.’ I loved the movie, but I was so appalled by the way that I looked that I never have gone back unless it were completely necessary.”
This quote highlights the actor’s profound discomfort with the portrayal, even as he appreciated the film itself.
Pascal also mentioned his openness to changes if required for future roles, commenting,
“If they asked me to be clean shave for ‘Fantastic Four’ and insisted then I would’ve done it. But it was a very collaborative creation for all of our looks in the movie.”
His statement points to a degree of flexibility despite his personal reservations about going without facial hair.
Pedro Pascal’s Earliest Roles Included a Criticized Look in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Long before achieving fame, Pedro Pascal appeared in a 1999 episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where his clean-shaven look was once again a topic of discomfort—this time in retrospect. The episode, titled “The Freshman,” marked the start of the show‘s fifth season and was directed by Joss Whedon, who later gained fame for his work with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In this episode, Pascal played Edward, or “Eddie,” a college freshman struggling with his new environment. The character’s storyline took a dark turn as Edward was turned into a vampire and eventually killed by Buffy. Pascal’s youthful and clean-cut look contrasted with his later more mature, rugged appearances, making this early role stand out as unusual compared to his typical image.
The actor and fans alike have noted this early appearance as less flattering, with Pascal’s slim features and wide-eyed innocence drawing attention. In light of his later statements about his facial hair, it is clear that Pascal finds this early clean-shaven portrayal unsettling compared to his natural style.
The Impact of Pascal’s Facial Hair Choices on His Career and Public Perception
Pedro Pascal’s evolving facial hair styles have played a significant role in shaping his on-screen identity. His distinctive facial hair in Game of Thrones and Narcos helped establish memorable characters, while his clean-shaven roles, such as Maxwell Lord and Edward in Buffy, stand out as exceptions that he himself critiques.
Pascal’s reflections on his facial hair highlight the importance of these aesthetic choices in an actor’s career, affecting not only their self-image but also audience perception. His case shows how personal style can influence an actor’s comfort with a role and even impact their willingness to revisit certain projects.
As Pascal continues to take on diverse roles across film and television, it remains to be seen how he will balance character requirements with his preference for maintaining facial hair. Meanwhile, fans and observers can understand the significance Pascal places on this aspect of his appearance, which has left a lasting impression from early projects to high-profile productions like Wonder Woman 1984.
