Pedro Pascal will officially enter the MCU as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and he has already nailed one aspect of the character so much that Marvel Studios had to ask that he tone it down. Pascal is due to star as the iconic Marvel Comics character on July 25.
With Marvel’s First Family historically failing to hit the mark with critics, the pressure is on for Pedro Pascal and his co-stars to do justice to the characters on the big screen. So far, the prognosis is positive, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be leaning into the 1960s tone that evokes the age of their comic book debut.
Pedro Pascal has apparently taken to the spirit of this period so much that vocal coaches asked him to rein in the transatlantic accent he was initially using for Reed Richards, as the actor divulged in an interview with Vanity Fair. His comments can be seen below at the 22:30 mark.
Pedro Pascal Reveals A Lot About The Dynamic On Set
Pedro Pascal’s interview with Vanity Fair is part of a “rewatch” series that sees him comment on his biggest roles in cinema. Given that the movie is yet to be released, his section on The Fantastic Four: First Steps only reveals trailer footage that has already been released to the public.
Pascal does offer insight, however, into the dynamic on set. He downplays himself as being the least funny, smart, and talented on that set, referring to his co-stars, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Vanessa Kirby (Susan Storm).
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will also feature Franklin Richards, the newborn son of Reed and Susan, for the first time in live-action.
He reveals that the team worked together closely to “elevate” the story as much as they possibly could, confessing that he drew inspiration for his role from previous iterations of Reed Richards in prior Fantastic Four adaptations rather than bringing something wholly distinct from the likes of Miles Teller and Ioan Gruffudd.
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Nevertheless, his comments suggest that this iteration of Reed Richards will be unlike anything audiences have thus far seen. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is treading new ground with its 1960s aesthetic in both adaptations of Marvel’s First Family and the MCU as a whole.
Pascal also refers to director Matt Shakman’s “vision” for the movie, and “the way that Kevin Feige has always hoped for the Fantastic Four to be seen.” Between this and his enthusiasm for the accent that denotes the period of the movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to be shaping up to be a distinctly unique addition to the MCU.
Pedro Pascal’s Enthusiasm Is A Good Sign
Thanks to trailer footage, we are already aware that Pascal’s accent in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not a strong, transatlantic one from the jump. I do, however, feel that Pedro Pascal’s enthusiasm is a positive sign of his take on Reed Richards.
Pascal is aware that he has big shoes to fill, and the fact that his Vanity Fair interview reveals that he is putting his heart and soul into the role is a positive sign for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Pascal commented that being a part of the MCU was a “dream.” I think this kind of enthusiasm for the franchise vivifies it at a time when it is most needed. As the Multiverse Saga struggles to match the heights of the Infinity Saga, both critically and financially, Pascal’s comments imbue me with confidence in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
There will always be an air of trepidation when it comes to adaptations of comic book fans’ favorite characters. Pascal is aware that he has big shoes to fill, and the fact that his Vanity Fair interview reveals that he is putting his heart and soul into the role is a positive sign for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date
July 25, 2025
Runtime
130 Minutes
Director
Matt Shakman
Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
Source: Vanity Fair
