Pedro Pascal is no stranger to stepping into beloved roles—from The Mandalorian to The Last of Us, he’s won over skeptical fans before. But in a candid new Vanity Fair cover story, the actor admitted his casting as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps has drawn more intense criticism than anything else in his career.
“Too Old. Not Right. Needs to Shave.”
Pascal revealed the most common complaints he’s seen online:
- “He’s too old” (Pascal is 50; Richards is traditionally depicted as mid-30s to 40s in comics)
- “He’s not right” (Fans envisioned Adam Driver or John Krasinski, who played variants in Multiverse of Madness)
- “He needs to shave” (A nod to Richards’ clean-shaven look vs. Pascal’s signature scruff)
“I’m more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I’ve ever done,” Pascal admitted. “But I also understand it. These characters mean so much to people.”
Why Marvel Is Betting Big on This Cast
Despite the backlash, Marvel is fully committed to Pascal’s team:
- Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm): Praised Pascal’s “immense vulnerability” on set
- Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm): Called the script “brilliant” and “very different” from past Marvel films
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm): Already confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) has emphasized this isn’t another origin story, but a “1970s sci-fi thriller” tone akin to Close Encounters.
Marvel’s Rocky 2025
The pressure is on after:
- Captain America: Brave New World (July 2025) flopped critically and financially
- Thunderbolts (May 2025) earned strong reviews but may lose $50M+
Pascal’s Response? Lean In.
Rather than ignore the noise, Pascal’s leaning into the absurdity—even joking on SNL about “method-acting as a stretchy man by overdoing yoga.” Co-star Kirby insists his authenticity won over the cast: “He shows himself to you straight away. That’s very brave.”
Will Fantastic Four break Marvel’s slump? We’ll find out July 25.
(Read the full cover story: VanityFair.com/PedroPascal)
RJ Tantoco is a writer and researcher with a passion for all things strange, geeky, and genre-bending. Whether it’s horror slashers, offbeat indie gems, or the latest multiverse mind-bender, RJ dives deep. His writing blends fandom with sharp analysis, offering fresh takes on cult favorites and cinematic oddities alike. When he’s not watching movies, he’s probably studying for his masters or deep on an RPG quest.