Pedro Pascal says stepping into the role of Reed Richards in Marvel’s upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps brought a level of pressure unlike any other franchise project he’s worked on. The film, which places the superhero team in a 1960s alternate timeline, is set for theatrical release on July 25.
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pascal described the role as “really intimidating.” He acknowledged that while he’s accustomed to entering large-scale worlds, this one still stood out. “I relied on the people that I was around to hold me to the experience and help get me through it,” he said. “Every time I’ve stepped into something huge — Game of Thrones, Narcos, Star Wars, The Last of Us — I always think I can’t top how intimidating it was, but each one somehow is.”
Directed by Matt Shakman, the film marks the fourth big-screen interpretation of the Fantastic Four. This version presents a retrofuturistic take on the origin story, framed within an alternate history that reflects 1960s aesthetics and ideology. Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach star alongside Pascal as Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, respectively. Additional cast members include Julia Garner, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson.
Pascal, portraying Reed Richards — also known as Mister Fantastic — said he wanted to respect the expectations tied to the character without losing his own approach. “You just want to make people happy, especially when there’s a lot of love and expectation tied to the character,” he said. “You also want to be authentic to yourself so that it can be the best that it can be for anybody who wants to be entertained by a story and travel with us into this world.”
Joseph Quinn, who plays Johnny Storm, spoke about how the character has been reinterpreted since the last theatrical iteration. In the 2005 film, Chris Evans played Storm as a brash, flirtatious figure. Quinn said this version aims to reflect different sensibilities. “He was branded as this womanizing, devil-may-care guy, but is that sexy these days? I don’t think so,” he said.
Quinn described a more reflective take on the character, developed through early conversations with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige. “This Johnny is less callous with other people’s feelings. There’s a bit more self-awareness behind his attention-seeking behavior,” he said.
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The retro timeline and stylized aesthetic offer a different narrative space from other recent Marvel projects. While specific story details are under wraps, the setting suggests a shift in tone and visual design. Shakman, known for his work on WandaVision, brings a background in character-driven storytelling within stylized worlds, which appears to align with the creative direction of the film.
Pascal’s role as Reed Richards positions him at the center of the team dynamic, taking on a character known for intellect, restraint, and leadership. His comments suggest that internalizing those elements while meeting external expectations was a key part of his preparation.
The film’s placement within the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe has not been clarified. However, the timeline choice and casting decisions indicate a focus on story and character over immediate franchise crossover. The approach appears to reintroduce the Fantastic Four without retreading past material.
Production on The Fantastic Four: First Steps is ongoing, with more promotional material expected in the lead-up to its release this summer.
