A new photo from the set of casting in The Fantastic Four: First Steps caused some division among die-hard Marvel fans.

Pedro Pascal is the oldest actor so far to portray Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic, at 49-years-old, and this has been the source of some criticism, as many were expecting a younger actor in the role. Pascal's casting was also controversial because of the huge fan-casting culture that emerged in regard to the Fantastic Four. While others wanted to see the likes of Dev Patel, Adam Driver, Penn Badgley or Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' John Krasinski assume the role, I think Pedro Pascal is a wonderful choice for the MCU's Mister Fantastic.

Pedro Pascal Looks The Most Like Classic Reed Richards Compared To Previous Mister Fantastic Actors

Pedro Pascal Is The Fifth Actor To Portray Reed Richards In Live-Action

On October 19, The Fantastic Four: First Steps which saw Fantastic Four creatives from the comics' past and present Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby on the set of the MCU movie. While I was excited to get a glimpse of the vibrant white-and-red, retro-futuristic set, I was even more elated to get a better look at Pascal's Reed Richards and Kirby's Sue Storm. After this image reveal, I hope criticisms about Pascal's MCU casting are quelled, as he has the perfect look for a classic Mister Fantastic.

Each of the previous iterations of Reed Richards have delivered modernized versions of the character, perhaps with the exception of Alex Hyde-White from the unreleased 1994 The Fantastic Four movie. Ioan Gruffudd, Miles Teller and John Krasinski, while strong in their own ways, forgot what made Reed Richards such a brilliant hero in the 1960s. This image from The Fantastic Four: First Steps has me thinking that Pedro Pascal will embrace this classic and timeless nature, however, making me incredibly excited for his performance in the MCU's Phase 5.

I Think The Fantastic Four’s Classic Marvel Inspiration Will Work Perfectly In Live-Action

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Will Take Us Back To The 1960s

The Fantastic Four made their first appearance in Marvel Comics in 1961, so I am very happy that Marvel Studios is leaning into this period for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Of course, it's known the movie will be set in a retro-futuristic, 1960s-themed alternate universe, but this inspiration is perfect for the project, and the image from the set of the movie proves that Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby's new MCU heroes will inhabit this time period perfectly. I can't wait to see these new versions of Marvel's First Family brought to life in the MCU.

MCU Movies

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  Captain America: Brave New World

  

  4/10

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  Thunderbolts*

  

  8/10

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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  Blade (2025)

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  Avengers: Doomsday

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

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