Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, but the character is not the best version of Mister Fantastic in live-action when it comes to a key element. The arrival of Marvel’s First Family can only help the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward, as it gives the franchise one of the most traditional superhero teams in comic book history.

Sadly, the live-action Fantastic Four movies have not always been the best. By the time The Fantastic Four: First Steps came to an end, I was sure that I had just watched the best live-action take on the team. I still stand by that. However, upon further reflection, it seems clear that Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards beats Pascal’s in one area.

The 2000s Fantastic Four Movies Had Flaws, But None Related To Their Cast

I understand the criticism surrounding the 2000s Fantastic Four movies. For instance, Galactus is easily handled better by the MCU, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps honoring Marvel Comics’ legacy by bringing a comics-accurate version of the villain to life. In 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Galactus was a cloud, with the movie famously butchering the character.

There are some choices that were clearly a product of their time and would not work today. However, when it came to the cast of the 2000s Fantastic Four movies, there was not a single problem. Their chemistry was great, the humor and heart were there, and each of them accurately portrayed their characters’ personalities on the big screen.

While Chris Evans’ Human Torch is often the most talked-about of the 2000s Fantastic Four franchise due to his MCU success as Captain America, it was Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards who led the team. I’m a big fan of his take on Mister Fantastic, with both character moments and Reed’s powers shining in the early Fantastic Four movies.

Pedro Pascal Played A Comics-Accurate Reed Richards In The MCU

I have to say that when The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast was announced, I had my doubts about Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn playing Reed Richards and Johnny Storm, respectively. However, now that I have watched the MCU’s latest movie, I know that Marvel could not have cast better actors for the roles. Both perfectly embodied their MCU heroes.

When it comes to Pascal’s Reed Richards, I loved how The Fantastic Four: First Steps made it a point of really making me believe that he was the smartest man in the world. Initially, I wanted John Krasinski to play the MCU’s Reed Richards, especially due to how frustrating it was for his Reed to be killed by the Scarlet Witch.

He even revealed how Black Bolt could take her out to her, leading to Wanda easily killing Earth-838’s Illuminati. Pascal’s Reed Richards used his genius-level intellect to find a way to fix several problems throughout the MCU Fantastic Four movie, including nearly teleporting their Earth to another point in space. Reed was also an emotional and easy character to root for.

I’m Convinced That Ioan Gruffudd’s Mister Fantastic Was Better Than Pedro Pascal’s In 1 Way

While I loved Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, I could not help but feel that one thing was missing. Every other member of the Fantastic Four got a moment to showcase their powers in the MCU movie. On the one hand, Marvel nailed the CGI for Mister Fantastic’s powers. On the other hand, they were not used nearly enough.

And when that did happen, it was not always that Reed used them in creative ways. When comparing the MCU’s Mister Fantastic to other live-action iterations of the character, it is easy to see how Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards beats Pascal’s in that regard. With two Fantastic Four movies under his belt, the 2000s Reed has the best on-screen stretchy powers.

Gruffudd’s Reed Richards used his stretching powers in creative ways, both to attack villains and to protect his family and regular citizens. Two of the best examples come when Gruffudd’s Reed Richards used his powers to expand in order to stop the London Eye from falling, and when he enveloped Doctor Doom with his body.

How The MCU Could Fix Its Reed Richards Powers Issue

Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps got the biggest element of the hero, his characterization, right. I believe he is the smartest man in the world, a brilliant leader, and someone who loves his family. Now, it is on to Marvel to make Mister Fantastic’s powers as creative as the 2000s Fantastic Four movies.

I’m convinced the studio will be able to pull that off soon. After all, the Fantastic Four will return for the next two Avengers movies, with the team appearing in at least one MCU movie for three years straight. That gives Marvel plenty of opportunities to have Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards use his powers in fights against Marvel heroes and villains.

With Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom being the main villain of the next two Avengers movies, Reed Richards should play a key role in them. After all, the two are rivals in the comics, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ post-credits scene had Doom with Reed’s son, Franklin Richards. Perhaps he could envelop Doom with his powers, just like Gruffudd’s Reed.