Director Matt Shakman, leading The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has disclosed the real-life figures who inspired the MCU’s version of Reed Richards, the character played by Pedro Pascal. Drawing heavily from Marvel comics history, Shakman crafted a Reed Richards that not only stays true to the original but also integrates traits from notable historical geniuses. This insight helps explain how Pascal’s portrayal distinguishes itself from earlier cinematic versions by Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller.
How Innovation and Invention Shaped Reed Richards’ Character
One significant influence on this version of Reed Richards is Steve Jobs, the renowned Apple founder and visionary entrepreneur. Shakman emphasized Reed’s role as an inventive genius in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, highlighting creations like the Fantasticar, a unique vehicle built for the team’s missions, which is not commonly seen in their world. Reed’s inventive mind also propels the film’s plot forward, including developing the teleportation bridge used to thwart threats.
During an interview on the Stuff Dreams Are Made Of podcast, Shakman likened Reed’s robot HERBIE to the iPhone, making an explicit connection between Reed’s technological innovations and Jobs’ impact on consumer technology. In the film’s world, alongside the custom-built HERBIE for the Fantastic Four, consumer versions of the robot are widespread, functioning similarly to devices such as Amazon’s Alexa in real life.
“So we had to invent everything that was bespoke to them, whether it was the Fantasticar, or HERBIE robot. And then we had consumer versions of HERBIE robots, and retrofuture cars that were very charming.”
—Matt Shakman, Director
When queried about HERBIE’s similarity to voice assistant devices, Shakman confirmed,
“Yes, like consumer HERBIEs that look a little different. They’re zooming around, doing deliveries, or whatever. I thought of it as like the iPhone.”
—Matt Shakman, Director
This parallel firmly connects Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards with the spirit of Steve Jobs, underlining how the character pushes technological boundaries in his world with a visionary mindset.
Scientific Brilliance Modeled After Albert Einstein
Beyond entrepreneurial innovation, the director drew from scientific icon Albert Einstein to shape Reed Richards’ intellect and achievements. Einstein’s seminal contributions to physics, including his theory of relativity and advancements in quantum theory, served as a reference point for portraying Reed as a remarkable scientist. In the MCU, Reed is depicted working on advanced theories involving teleportation and space exploration, showcasing his stature as a prodigious thinker.
Shakman described Reed as a child prodigy who invented new technology decades ahead of his peers in the MCU timeline, mirroring Einstein’s early intellectual prowess—teaching himself geometry at twelve and earning a PhD by twenty-six. This backstory enriches the character’s depth and explains the advanced level of technology seen in the Fantastic Four’s era compared to Earth-616’s ’60s.
“Before he became Mister Fantastic, because he was a child prodigy, he was introducing new technology 20, 30 years before, which is why by the time we get to the ’60s, it’s completely different from our ’60s.”
—Matt Shakman, Director
This portrayal aligns Reed’s scientific genius with Einstein’s legacy, grounding the character’s groundbreaking innovations in a realistic historical context.
Urban Vision and Planning Reflected by Robert Moses
The third influential figure behind Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is Robert Moses, a prominent architect and urban planner credited with shaping the modern New York metropolitan area. Moses’ expansive vision and control over infrastructure development during the 20th century influenced the way Reed approaches innovation and planning in the film. The imagery of Moses overseeing miniature models of New York parallels scenes of Reed working with his own detailed models, underscoring his role as a visionary builder of worlds.
Shakman highlighted that Reed’s intelligence and inventions similarly impact the future of his universe, just as Moses’ planning shaped the real-world urban landscape. This link enhances Reed’s persona as someone whose influence extends far beyond superhero exploits to altering the fabric of society and environment.
“Steve Jobs meets Einstein meets Robert Moses. He is exactly that, yeah!”
—Matt Shakman, Director
By combining elements of a tech entrepreneur, scientific prodigy, and urban planner, Shakman portrays Reed Richards as a multifaceted genius whose talents span invention, science, and visionary design.
The Unique Blend Behind Pascal’s MCU Reed Richards
Pedro Pascal’s portrayal benefits from this fusion of inspirations, with the director’s thoughtful incorporation of the qualities that made these historical figures relevant and transformative. Unlike previous cinematic versions, which many fans felt drifted from the character’s comic-book roots, this Reed Richards is defined by a complex, layered intelligence framed by innovation and foresight.
By embracing the legacies of Jobs, Einstein, and Moses, the MCU’s Reed balances the role of a superhero with the responsibilities of an inventor and architect, bringing both human depth and exceptional capabilities to the screen. This approach supports the evolution of the Fantastic Four’s story while maintaining reverence for its comic origins.
Anticipating Future Developments in the MCU
As the MCU continues to expand, the rich character foundation built for Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens the door for further exploration of his genius and its impact on upcoming storylines. Fans can expect to see how this blend of innovation, science, and urban vision plays into the evolving Marvel narrative, potentially shaping future technology and heroism in the franchise.
Matt Shakman’s revelations about the real people behind Pedro Pascal’s Reed give audiences a deeper appreciation for the character’s complexity, hinting at a more grounded yet expansive portrayal within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
