Pedro Pascal, who is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe this summer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, addresses the criticism about his Reed Richards casting. Phase 6 is getting ready to kick off with Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps cast will be the latest take on these characters, one of the leading stars is opening up about how some perceived his casting.

In a interview with Vanity Fair, Pascal shared how he saw some of the criticism when he was cast as the MCU’s Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While aware of it, Pascal shared how former Iron Man star Downey Jr., who is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, was incredibly supportive, as he stated the following:

Pedro Pascal: I’m more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I’ve ever done. ’He’s too old. He’s not right. He needs to shave.’ He’s just so immediately generous and inviting that you feel like you can be afraid, you can be hungry, you can be ambivalent.” [When speaking about how Downey Jr. showed his support to Pascal]

Vanity Fair also had Downey Jr. comment on the actor’s casting, and the MCU veteran had incredibly strong enthusiasm for Pascal:

Robert Downey Jr: Pascal’s slow trajectory to becoming a household name who is on a wildly H๏τ streak kind of reaffirms my faith in our industry.

What Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four Casting Criticism Comments Mean

When it comes to superhero and comic book film casting, especially for someone as major as Mister Fantastic, fans will always make their voices heard, whether they are in favor or against said casting choice. However, the naysayers are usually always a vocal minority, particularly in online spaces.

General audience members who see MCU movies likely don’t have many thoughts one way or the other until they actually see the film for themselves. With Pascal’s stardom having only increased in recent years, it was only a matter of time until he landed a huge role in the MCU timeline, and being tapped for The Fantastic Four: First Steps as Reed Richards is a pivotal one.

It’s no surprise that Downey Jr. has been there for Pascal through some of the rougher parts of his Mister Fantastic casting, given how the Tony Stark actor was also given similar reactions when he was first cast in 2008’s Iron Man.

But just as Downey Jr. proved himself to be a perfect choice for Iron Man, The Fantastic Four: First Steps may see Pascal’s Reed get a similar reception. If the plan is to have the Fantastic Four as more central characters in the MCU after The Multiverse Saga, Pascal’s outstanding ability as a leading man will benefit the franchise.

Our Take On Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four Casting Criticism Comments

After hearing Downey Jr. having Pascal’s back, it will be even more exciting when they finally get to share the screen together in Avengers: Doomsday, as they are both currently filming the Phase 6 installment. Hopefully, as fans have waited a long time to see the MCU tackle the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, the wait will be worth it.

But before they see Marvel’s First Family clash with Doctor Doom, the world can catch the iconic team this summer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which arrives in only a month.

Source: Vanity Fair