Pedro Pascal is offering new insight into his approach to playing Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps. While the character is known for his elastic physical abilities, Pascal said his focus was elsewhere.
“With Reed, his body may stretch, but this is a brain character,” Pascal said during an interview with ComicBook. “I guess I’ll just give it completely away. I thought of the brilliance of an octopus. Not in any literal physical translated way, but I put it into my subconscious. Yeah. That’s the biggest character secret reveal that I’ve given to you.”
Pascal described the role as an entirely different kind of physical and creative process compared to his work on The Mandalorian, where the role of Din Djarin has often been portrayed by multiple performers under the armor. “With Din Djarin, there’s so much physical authorship that is a collective effort,” he said. “With Reed, that, for me, was a brand new kind of experience to author something that is very, very familiar to the world, has previous authorship, a very specific understanding of the pages of the comics, and different evolutions and stuff like that.”
Pascal emphasized that Mister Fantastic’s intellect was central to his interpretation, pointing out that the character’s identity in the new film differs from earlier versions. “Something that is so independent in its identity as far as our version is concerned,” he said. “To me, you know, his body may stretch, but this is a brain character, and it’s really his mind that was the most important to me.”
The new film, directed by Matt Shakman, is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025. Pascal stars alongside Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.
The first trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps was released earlier this week, offering brief looks at the characters and tone of the film. Pascal’s comments follow increased attention around the reboot, which introduces a new cast and direction.
