Marvel Studios’ upcoming film, “Fantastic Four,” set to integrate the beloved superhero team into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is closing in on a key casting decision as per Deadline.
Pedro Pascal is currently under consideration for the role of Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic, a brilliant scientist who gains the ability to stretch and bend his body like rubber after exposure to gamma rays during a scientific mission in outer space.
This potential role for Pascal follows a series of iconic characters in his career, beginning with his memorable portrayal of Prince Oberyn Martell in “Game of Thrones.”
Pascal’s career reached new heights when he took on the lead role as the bounty hunter in “The Mandalorian,” the inaugural Disney+ series for the “Star Wars” franchise. The 48-year-old actor recently earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in the ongoing HBO series “The Last of Us,” which also renewed for a second season.
Directed by Matt Shakman, known for his work on “WandaVision,” “Fantastic Four” is scheduled to open on May 2, 2025. Shakman took over the directorial duties from Jon Watts, who directed all three of Marvel and Sony’s “Spider-Man” movies featuring Tom Holland.
Marvel Studios acquired the rights to the Fantastic Four in 2019 when Disney purchased 21st Century Fox. The iconic superhero team, Marvel’s First Family, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, previously appeared in three Fox movies: the original “Fantastic Four” (2005), its sequel “Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007), and a 2015 reboot that received mixed reviews.
The upcoming film marks the MCU debut of the Fantastic Four, and it won’t be the first introduction of the characters in the MCU. In “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022), John Krasinski made a brief cameo as an alternate universe version of Reed Richards. However, this alternate Reed Richards met a grim fate at the hands of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).
While Pascal is being considered for Reed Richards, casting for the other main characters in the quartet—Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing)—has yet to be announced.
The roles of Susan Storm and Johnny Storm have been subjects of fan speculation, with John Krasinski and Emily Blunt frequently suggested for the roles of Reed Richards and Susan Storm, respectively.
