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Pedro Pascal is about to add another iconic role to his already impressive resume, stepping into the shoes of Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This highly anticipated movie, set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, promises to be a reimagining of Marvel’s original Fantastic Four series, with a unique twist—sending the team into an alternate universe set in the 1960s.
Pascal, no stranger to high-pressure roles, recently opened up about the weight of taking on such a beloved character. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he admitted that playing Reed Richards was particularly intimidating, even by his standards. “It was really intimidating,” he said, acknowledging the daunting responsibility of portraying the leader of the Fantastic Four. Given Pascal’s career thus far, which includes roles in Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Narcos, and The Mandalorian, it’s clear that he’s no stranger to big roles, but stepping into the MCU’s world felt like a whole new level of pressure.
The film, directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, features a star-studded cast, including Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, with Pascal leading the charge as Mister Fantastic. Pascal compared joining the MCU to some of the most intimidating moments in his career, from his breakout role in Game of Thrones to his foray into video games with The Last of Us. “Each time, I’ve felt like I couldn’t top how intimidating the last one was,” he said.
Pascal credits his colleagues for helping him navigate the pressure. “You really want to make people happy—especially when it’s something widely known with particular expectations around it,” he explained. That balance of meeting audience expectations while staying true to his own acting style is a challenge Pascal is eager to tackle. “You want to be authentic to yourself so that it can be the best it can be for anybody who wants to be entertained by a story,” he added.
Joining Pascal in this bold reimagining of the Fantastic Four is a stellar ensemble that includes John Malkovich, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Ralph Ineson, and Paul Walter Hauser, each bringing their own flair to the latest chapter of Marvel’s expansive universe. As the MCU continues to evolve, this ambitious take on the Fantastic Four promises to be a thrilling new addition to the franchise, with Pascal’s Mister Fantastic leading the charge into new and uncharted territory. Fans of the Marvel Universe, buckle up—you’re in for a ride!