Pedro Pascal apparently had doubts about portraying Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is released on July 25, 2025. With just over a month to go, anticipation has been stoked by a significant marketing campaign, which has recently highlighted the motif of family and spotlighted the titular team as the foremost —and perhaps sole —protectors of their world.
In an interview with Empire, Pedro Pascal explained that while he wasn't skeptical about The Fantastic Four: First Steps as a whole, he was reticent about being cast as Reed Richards due to certain facets of his characterization. He explains that Reed Richards' core traits as an astrophysicist and family man in Marvel Comics were factors he wasn't sure he could convincingly portray. His full quote is as follows:
“I wasn’t skeptical at all of this as a piece… But I was skeptical over [Shakman’s] choice to cast me. I was questioning if I would serve it as best as it was meant to be served - to convincing as an astrophysicist, as a father, a husband.”
He goes on to clarify, after accidentally meeting director Matt Shakman on the street in New York while weighing up the role:
"I definitely think it was destiny."
What Pedro Pascal's Comments Mean For The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Pascal's Initial Skeptecism May Have Been Unfounded Based On His Previous Roles
Pedro Pascal's comments strike at a pertinent topic within the MCU fandom, as Reed Richards is one of Marvel Comics' most beloved characters, and consequently, an important character to adapt properly. While 2005's Fantastic Four was released to middling reviews, the consensus surrounding Ioan Gruffudd being cast as Reed Richards was widely positive. Pascal's comments may speak to a certain anxiety that invariably comes with portraying such a beloved Marvel character, though whether his concerns were well-founded remains to be seen.
New The Fantastic Four: First Steps Preview Gives An Early Look At Sue Storm & Reed Richards' Baby
A new The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer has been released by Marvel Studios, including a first look at Franklin Richards in the MCU franchise.
Still, Pedro Pascal has plenty of proven credentials (and not to mention star power) as a highly regarded actor. His recent roles in two acclaimed shows, The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, are proof of his ability to play a father figure, which is an integral part of his dynamic within Marvel's First Family. At the same time, these shows are proof of his range. Ultimately, one of the most important facets of Reed Richards that Pascal has to capture is his dynamic with the rest of the team.
Our Take On Pedro Pascal's Mister Fantastic Comments
Reed Richards Is In Good Hands
While I understand Pedro Pascal's initial skepticism about portraying Reed Richards, I think he is downplaying what he is capable of. From trailer footage alone, it looks apparent that he and Vanessa Kirby have nailed the dynamic and chemistry between Sue and Reed. Furthermore, if The Fantastic Four: First Steps leans into the family dynamic and offers each main character ample screen time, I think it will have already cleared the movie's most important hurdle.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
- July 25, 2025
- Runtime
- 130 Minutes
- Director
- Matt Shakman
- Writers
- Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Stan Lee
- Producers
- Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Tim Lewis
Cast
Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
Vanessa KirbySue Storm / The Invisible Woman
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
MCU Movies
Source: Empire
