Pedro Pascal Acknowledges Fan Backlash Over Reed Richards Casting

Pedro Pascal has opened up about the mixed reactions to his casting as Reed Richards in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He revealed that Robert Downey Jr., known for his roles as Iron Man and now Doctor Doom, has offered him reassurance during this time.

The 50-year-old actor is set to debut in the MCU this July as a key member of The Fantastic Four. With Marvel Studios and Disney hoping the film outperforms this year’s other MCU entries—Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*—expectations are high for what’s poised to be one of 2025’s biggest releases.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Pascal shared that he’s more conscious of what he termed "disgruntlement" surrounding his casting as Mister Fantastic than for any past role. This includes his portrayal of Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us, Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, or the title character in The Mandalorian.

“I’m feeling a growing sense of excitement because it seems to reflect our shared vision—to lay our hearts on the table within this genre,” Pascal commented. “But you never know whether audiences will embrace that vulnerability or not.”

“I’m more aware of the criticism surrounding my casting than ever before,” Pascal added. “Comments range from ‘He’s too old’ and ‘He’s not the right fit’ to ‘He should shave.’”

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Ever since Pascal was announced as the new Reed Richards, debate has swirled around whether he fits the character’s look. While some have objected to his mustache, others argue that the brief glimpses of his performance so far don’t tell the whole story, emphasizing that acting involves more than appearance.

Despite the criticism, Pascal revealed he’s found encouragement in Robert Downey Jr. The veteran actor, who will appear alongside Pascal in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, offered support—though Pascal remained tight-lipped about the highly secretive project.

“His generosity and warmth make you feel safe to express fear, hunger, or uncertainty,” Pascal said of Downey.

Marvel Studios appears confident in this iteration of The Fantastic Four. Reports surfaced last week that a sequel is already in early development, even though the first film is still over a month away from its theatrical debut.