Pedro Pascal knows a thing or two about navigating major fandoms. He’s a fixture in the “Star Wars” universe for playing the Mandalorian, and he’s an Emmy nominee for taking on the role of Joel in HBO’s adaptation of the blockbuster “Last of Us” video games. But as part of his recent Vanity Fair cover story, Pascal revealed it was being cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that got him the most strife.
“I’m more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I’ve ever done,” Pascal said about playing Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in “The Fantastic Four: The First Steps,” arriving in theaters next month. Pascal said the regular complaints he hears are as follows: “He’s too old. He’s not right. He needs to shave.”
Pascal is headlining “Fantastic Four” alongside Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. All four actors are already confirmed to be returning to Marvel in 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday,” so Marvel Studios is clearly hoping “First Steps” makes a big mark among comic book movie fans.
Kirby told Vanity Fair that Pascal’s “immense vulnerability” is what bonded them on set, adding: “He doesn’t have much armor, so he shows himself to you straight away, and you trust that person because he’s revealing himself to you in this very brave way.”
“Fantastic Four” is Marvel’s third tentpole of the year following “Captain America: Brave New World,” which was lambasted by film critics and underperformed at the box office, and “Thunderbolts*,” which kicked off the summer movie season at the start of May and earned some of the best reviews for a Marvel movie. However, “Thunderbolts” is still projected to lose north of $50 million in theaters.
Quinn told Entertainment Weekly last year that he is not worried about superhero fatigue impacting “Fantastic Four,” saying: “There are aspects of it that are very different to other Marvel films. That felt very compelling to me. And again, going back to who’s involved, Matt [Shakman], of course, the director, I think is brilliant, and the cast, and I’ve read it, and the script is brilliant. It’s really brilliant. I’m delighted to have this opportunity.”
“Fantastic Four: First Steps” opens in theaters July 25.
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