MOVIE NEWS – Matt Shakman, director of Fantastic Four: First Steps, has shared why Pedro Pascal was the ideal choice to play Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. Ever since it was announced in 2019 that the Fantastic Four would be joining the MCU, fans have been speculating about who would portray the flexible superhero. Names like Adam Driver, Dev Patel, and David Tennant were mentioned, but the role ultimately went to The Mandalorian and The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal.

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Shakman explained that while many actors could have portrayed the more studious, bookish side of Reed Richards, Pascal’s strength was his ability to embody the many facets of the character. Like in the comics, Reed will be more than just the world’s smartest man; he’s also an action hero, a devoted father figure, and a loyal friend – qualities that Pascal has shown in many of his previous roles. 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 himself spoke about what drew him to the character:

“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.”

Since the casting news was announced on Valentine’s Day 2024, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards has become one of the most hotly debated topics. Some fans have struggled to accept the choice, having their own personal favorite in mind for Mister Fantastic. There has also been a racist element to some of the criticism, with some people upset about changing Reed’s race, even though it’s never been a defining part of his character. Others simply feel that Pascal is overexposed – fresh off The Last of Us and soon to be seen in Celine Song’s Materialist and Ari Aster’s Eddington, just before Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters.

Pascal’s warm charisma gives Reed Richards a fresh dimension

One recurring complaint is that Pascal doesn’t fit the “classic scientist” archetype – a more aloof, emotionally detached figure. However, this clashes with Pascal’s reputation as a warm, friendly actor who has become a favorite of the internet. In the original Marvel comics, Reed Richards was portrayed more as a classic pulp scientist-adventurer, like Doc Samson or Indiana Jones. In that context, Pascal is an inspired choice for Mister Fantastic.

The Fantastic Four are set to play a key role in the MCU’s future, with appearances in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. That will mean three consecutive years of seeing Marvel’s First Family on the big screen, much like the early years of the Infinity Saga when Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man appeared in a film every year from 2015 to 2019. With that much exposure, even the skeptics are likely to come around to Pascal’s portrayal.

Source: Empire Magazine