Before Pedro Pascal secured the role of Reed Richards in Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, released last July, Tom Ellis was among the top contenders for the character. In a recent interview, Ellis shared how close he came to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Mr. Fantastic but ultimately did not get the part.
Ellis explained,
“There was a select group of people that got asked to tape for Reed Richards,”
highlighting the exclusivity of the audition process.
“I had been waiting for the right thing, timing-wise and character-wise, to come along. And I remember looking at the photo of Richards in the comics and going, ‘this could be the one.’ We look quite similar.”
Reasons Why Ellis Did Not Land the Role
Despite similarities in appearance and being invited to submit an audition tape, Ellis lost the role to Pedro Pascal. Reflecting on the outcome, Ellis remarked humorously,
“I mean to be fair, he’s not in much,”
before adding, “He’s great though,” showing appreciation for Pascal’s performance.
Pedro Pascal has since become a prominent figure in Hollywood, appearing in numerous projects, including Fantastic Four, Materialists, Eddington, The Wild Robot, Gladiator 2, and the highly anticipated The Last of Us season 2. He is also confirmed to star in upcoming blockbusters Avengers: Doomsday and The Mandalorian & Grogu, both expected to be major box office successes in 2026.
Tom Ellis’s Recent and Past Work Highlights
While Pascal’s MCU career continues to ascend, Ellis has maintained a strong presence in film and television. He was recently part of the ensemble cast of Netflix’s crime mystery The Thursday Murder Club, featuring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. Additionally, Ellis appeared in Hulu series Washington Black and Tell Me Lies.
Ellis is best known for his leading role in Lucifer, which first aired on Fox in 2016. The show, based on DC Comics characters from The Sandman universe, follows the devil who abandons his tormenting duties in hell to work as a detective consultant in Los Angeles. Ellis’s character uses his unique ability to manipulate people to assist LAPD Detective Chloe Decker, portrayed by Lauren German, in solving complex crimes.
Significance of Casting Choices in MCU and Beyond
The casting decisions for Reed Richards and other superhero roles reflect the challenging dynamics within the industry, where a close match in timing, character fit, and actor availability heavily influence outcomes. Pedro Pascal’s rapid rise in Hollywood emphasizes the impact of landing such pivotal roles, while Ellis’s near opportunity highlights how competitive these parts are.
Fans of the MCU and Ellis alike remain eager to see how Pascal’s portrayal of Reed Richards will unfold in future Marvel productions and whether Ellis will return to major franchise roles soon. With both actors continuing strong trajectories, their paths illustrate the unpredictable nature of Hollywood casting and career development.
