The MCU as we know it wouldn’t exist without Robert Downey, Jr. While that sounds hyperbolic — and not particularly original — it is a fact. His embodiment of Tony Stark, a character who up until that point was best known for his stint as an alcoholic in Bob Layton, David Michelinie, and John Romita Jr.’s fantastic Bronze Age Iron Man arc, gave the Marvel film franchise its first smash hit and a beating heart to keep its blood flowing. However you feel about the movies that have been released since Tony’s death in Avengers: Endgame it’s fair to say that the MCU has struggled to find that same consistency without Iron Man around to anchor the ever-more cosmic and sprawling franchise.
But with the massive Valentine’s Day casting announcement of the Fantastic Four which finally confirmed that Pedro Pascal will be taking on the role of Reed Richards, the MCU may have found its next North Star. The fan-favorite actor has proven his chops time and time again and could change the MCU forever by playing one of the most seminal and formative characters in the 85-year history of the Marvel Universe.
From his work in fantastic indie movies like If Beale Street Could Talk and Prospect to massive franchise TV hits like The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal has carved out a place as one of Hollywood’s most exciting actors. He can equally evoke both humor and gravitas while leading epic genre projects that center around the humanity he brings. All of that makes him the perfect lead for the future of the MCU.
So is Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards the right move for the Fantastic Four movie? Let’s dig in on just how important Pascal’s casting could be for the MCU moving forward!
