The reliably fantastic Pedro Pascal is reportedly Marvel’s choice to portray Mr. Fantastic in the new Fantastic Four movie.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pascal is in talks to suit up as Reed Richards in the upcoming film, which is currently scheduled for release on May 2nd, 2025. The deal is dependent on Pascal’s schedule, as he is committed to starring in Season 2 of The Last of Us and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel.
Before Marvel landed on Pascal, Adam Driver, Jake Gyllenhaal, Christopher Abbott, and Jamie Dornan were among the other names reportedly considered to be the next Mr. Fantastic. John Krasinski was also an audience favorite for the role, with fan campaigning leading the actor to cameo as a variant version of Richards in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
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The upcoming film will mark the Fantastic Four’s first official entry into the current Marvel Cinematic Universe, after the rights were handed over to Disney as part of the 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Per film reporter Jeff Sneider, among the names rumored to fill out the foursome are Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).
Marvel has not yet confirmed any of the Fantastic Four casting. Matt Shakman (WandaVision) will helm the project, replacing Jon Watts, director of the MCU Spider-Man trilogy.
Elsewhere in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, director Destin Daniel Cretton has reportedly stepped away from Avengers: Kang Dynasty to focus on the Marvel series Wonder Man and the sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which he helmed. The targeted release of Avengers: Kang Dynasty was recently pushed back a year to 2026, though plans for the film may change entirely as Kang actor Jonathan Majors faces accusations of domestic abuse.
Film reporter Daniel Richtman was the first to report news of Pascal’s casting.
