A new photo from the set ofThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshas me convinced that Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards will be the strongest depiction of the iconic hero in Marvel’s live-action history. After years of waiting patiently, I was thrilled on Valentine’s Day when Marvel Studios confirmed the cast of Marvel’s First Family’sMCUreboot movie. Pedro Pascal, who has recently become one of my favorite actors, was a particularly brilliant addition, though hiscasting inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscaused some division among die-hard Marvel fans.
Ben Grimm’s Thing
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Pedro Pascal is the oldest actor so far to portray Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic, at 49-years-old, and this has been the source of some criticism, as many were expecting a younger actor in the role.Pascal’s casting was also controversial because of the huge fan-casting culture that emerged in regard to the Fantastic Four. While others wanted to see the likes of Dev Patel, Adam Driver, Penn Badgley orDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’John Krasinski assume the role, I think Pedro Pascal is a wonderful choice for theMCU’s Mister Fantastic.
Pedro Pascal Looks The Most Like Classic Reed Richards Compared To Previous Mister Fantastic Actors
Pedro Pascal Is The Fifth Actor To Portray Reed Richards In Live-Action
On October 19,Marvel Comicsposted an image from theset ofThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswhich saw Fantastic Four creatives from the comics' past and present join Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby on the set of the upcoming MCU movie. While I was excited to get a glimpse of the vibrant white-and-red, retro-futuristic set, I was even more elated to get a better look at Pascal’s Reed Richards and Kirby’s Sue Storm.After this image reveal, I hope criticisms about Pascal’s MCU casting are quelled, as he has the perfect look for a classic Mister Fantastic.
Each of theprevious iterations of Reed Richardshave delivered modernized versions of the character, perhaps with the exception of Alex Hyde-White from the unreleased 1994The Fantastic Fourmovie.Ioan Gruffudd, Miles Teller and John Krasinski, while strong in their own ways, forgot what made Reed Richards such a brilliant hero in the 1960s. This image fromThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshas me thinking that Pedro Pascal will embrace this classic and timeless nature, however, making me incredibly excited for his performance in the MCU’s Phase 5.
I Think The Fantastic Four’s Classic Marvel Inspiration Will Work Perfectly In Live-Action
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Will Take Us Back To The 1960s
The Fantastic Four made their first appearance in Marvel Comics in 1961, so I am very happy that Marvel Studios is leaning into this period forThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. Of course, it’s known the movie will be set in aretro-futuristic, 1960s-themed alternate universe, but this inspiration is perfect for the project, and the image from the set of the movie proves that Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby’s new MCU heroes will inhabit this time period perfectly. I can’t wait to see these new versions of Marvel’s First Family brought to life in the MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
