The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman has revealed what makes star Pedro Pascal so well-suited to play Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic. As soon as it was confirmed that the Fantastic Four were finally coming to the MCU in 2019, it was nearly five straight years of fan-casting and rumors about who would play the stretchy superhero. Names like Adam Driver, Dev Patel, and David Tennant seemed to get thrown around. In the end, the part went to The Mandalorian and The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal. Speaking with Empire Magazine, Shakman explained his decision to cast Pedro Pascal as a leader of the Fantastic Four. While many actors might have fit the more bookish man of science aspect that fans associate with Reed Richards, it appears it was Pascal’s ability to tap into many different aspects of the character. Like in the comics, Reed won’t just be the world’s smartest person, but also a true man of action, a caring father figure, and a supportive ally, something Pascal has displayed in several projects. Shakman said:
“I was looking for an actor who could contain multitudes. There’s the very cerebral Reed Richards, and then there’s the action hero, the leader, the husband, the father, the friend. I knew Pedro could do all of that.
Pascal also opened up about what drew him to the part of Reed Richards, saying:
“I see a limitless amount of layers to this character. He does the ultimate version of catastrophising. A brain that has an overview of threats on a mathematical level, but also being emotionally available. It was a fascinating contradiction.”

Pedro Pascal Is a More Comic Accurate Reed Richards Than Fans Expected

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Since the Fantastic Four cast was announced on Valentine’s Day 2024, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards has been one of the most controversial. Part of this was people having difficulty adjusting to the casting news, as they had likely built up their own specific fan-favorite choice to play Mister Fantastic. There is also a racist aspect to some criticisms, as some seem to object to changing Reed’s race, even though that has never been a vital part of his character. Meanwhile, others have criticized Pascal for being over-exposed. Not only did he just conclude his run on The Last of Us, but he will next be seen in Celine Song’s Materialist and Ari Aster’s Eddington before the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

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One common complaint among some fans is that Pascal is bad casting due to a preconceived notion that Mister Fantastic is a more stereotypical idea of what a scientist or nerd is, with the character often being read as unfeeling or detached. This goes against Pascal’s star image as a kind, warm presence who is also one of the internet’s favorite celebrities. However, Reed Richards in the original Marvel Comics was more the classic pulp idea of a scientist who was smart but also an action hero, similar to Doc Samson or Indiana Jones. In that context, Pascal is a perfect pick to play Mister Fantastic. The Fantastic Four are set to play a significant role in the MCU’s future plans moving forward, as they will form part of both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. That will be three consecutive years of fans getting to see Marvel’s First Family, similar to the glory days of the Infinity Saga. From 2015 to 2019, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark was in at least one MCU film a year. With that much time, Pascal will likely win over many skeptics. Source: Empire Magazine