Filming on Avengers: Doomsday may have only begun in April this year, but one Fantastic Four: The First Steps star has already finished their time on the Marvel blockbuster. Slated to arrive in theaters in December 2026, all four members of Marvel’s first family are expected to join an already enormous Avengers: Doomsday cast that also includes several original X-Men.
Despite the events of this year’s Fantastic Four: The First Steps taking place within an alternate reality to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s sacred timeline, the post-credit scene for Thunderbolts* had already teased the team’s arrival within the Earth-616 timeline.
According to a new report from ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Reed Richards star Pedro Pascal has reportedly completed filming his scenes for Avengers: Doomsday and is nowin negotiations to lead a new project for Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy. Additionally, Pascal is also committed to beginning production on Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in 2026.
What This New Filming Update Means For Avengers: Doomsday
While many fans have predicted that the Fantastic Four will likely play a significant role in Avengers: Doomsday, especially given their team’s connection to the film’s primary antagonist, Pascal’s early departure may suggest that Reed Richards may only have limited screen time. However, this is probably not entirely surprising, given the need to also balance out the other key teams.
In addition to Reed Richards, the Russo brothers will also need to provide screen time to not only the returning X-Men, but the two competing Avengers teams of Earth-616. Potentially dwarfing the delicate balancing act of Infinity War and Endgame, the sheer size of the Avengers: Doomsday’s cast roster will likely see many other heroes competing for time.
Our Take On Limiting Reed Richards’ Avengers: Doomsday Screen Time
Even if Pascal’s early departure is indicative of the amount of screen time he will receive throughout the next Avengers movie, it is also important to remember that it is intended to lead directly into 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. As such, it is also possible that Reed Richards could potentially play a much larger role in the second movie.
With the Russo brothers having already succeeded in balancing a large ensemble of Marvel characters, it is probably best to ᴀssume that the directors know what they are doing. Moreover, just because Pascal may have already finished his Avengers: Doomsday scenes, there are still three remaining members of the Fantastic Four left to battle on without him.
Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline