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Over A Year After Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four: First Steps Casting Drew Fan Backlash, The Director Stands By His Decision

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Securing an excellent ensemble cast for the upcoming Marvel film “Fantastic Four: First Steps” proved to be the primary hurdle. Given that a quartet of actors will be depicting Marvel’s original superhero family, choosing actors who not only display a promising on-screen chemistry but also embody the beloved comic book characters from decades past is a significant task. It’s important to mention that Pedro Pascal’s casting as the new Reed Richards sparked fan criticism more than a year ago, yet the director of “First Steps“, Matt Shakman, remains confident in his choice even now.

In February 2024, some fans expressed disappointment with Pedro Pascal’s casting as Reed Richards, commenting that the downgrade was significant. They felt that the Chilean-American actor did not embody the elastic superhero and had hoped that John Krasinski, known for his role in “The Office” and who played Mr. Fantastic in “Doctor Strange 2”, would be chosen instead.

In the end, Pascal was appointed to lead the Fantastic Four, but there are still lingering whispers on the Internet. Lately, Shakman explained to Empire why he cast Pascal for the role, justifying his decision.

After all, Pascal became the leader of the Fantastic Four, yet people haven’t forgotten the murmurs on the Internet. In a recent interview with Empire, Shakman clarified the circumstances and defended his casting choice of Pascal.

I sought an actor capable of portraying complex characters. One moment he’d embody the intellectual Reed Richards, and the next, a daring action hero, a strong leader, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a trusted friend. I was confident Pedro had the range to pull off every role.

The director’s observation is spot-on. If you’ve been tuning into TV lately, it’s evident that Pascal’s acting skills are as adaptable as his on-screen superhero persona. Given my exposure to Pascal’s portrayal in The Last of Us (available with an HBO Max subscription), he demonstrates the ability to play intricate characters, even those that exude a lovable softness. I anticipate Pascal will bring this same versatility to his role in the MCU.

The character of Reed Richards, known as Mr. Fantastic, possesses a depth that an accomplished actor should effortlessly embody. Being endowed with vast intellectual prowess, Reed’s mind is inherently logical, yet his acquisition of superpowers significantly alters his persona. In the upcoming series Fantastic Four: First Steps, we learn that Reed will be married to Sue Storm and is on the verge of fatherhood. His responsibility extends beyond just protecting his family; he must also safeguard the world from a cosmic threat like Galactus, who devours planets. With Mr. Fantastic utilizing his intelligence, elastic limbs, and compassion to conquer obstacles, I strongly believe the actor from Narcos is perfectly suited for this role.

Just as user @REDACTEDSpider noted during the Pedro Pascal controversy, actors like Heath Ledger have faced casting criticism before proving their talent. For instance, Ledger’s casting as the Joker in “The Dark Knight” was initially met with skepticism, but his chilling performance left a lasting impact, earning him an Oscar posthumously. Similarly, Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Iron Man faced initial doubt due to his troubled past, yet now it’s difficult to imagine anyone else wearing the armored suit.

It’s crucial to bear in mind that Pedro Pascal isn’t currently portraying a character from an existing source material. Whether it was Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones or Joel Miller on The Last of Us, Pascal approaches his roles by focusing on the world or story he’s immersed in, catering to fan expectations accordingly.

Previously, Pedro Pascal’s selection as Reed Richards faced some initial criticism about a year ago. Nevertheless, director Matt Shakman remains convinced that Pascal is the ideal actor for portraying the intricate aspects of this superhero character. Initially, fans may have had doubts, but I believe they will grow to appreciate Pascal’s contribution once they watch him in action on July 25th, when the movie debuts in 2025.

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2025-06-09 01:07

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