Pedro Pascal, who is set to play Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic) in Marvel’s upcoming Fantastic Four, has addressed swirling speculation about his character’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Specifically, the actor has responded to claims that Richards will lead the Avengers in the forthcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.
Pedro Pascal Clears the Air: “It’s News to Me”
Speaking to the Associated Press, the Last of Us and Gladiator II star set the record straight following comments made by Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman. Shakman had previously suggested that Pascal’s character evolves from a reclusive scientist into a devoted father—and eventually becomes the leader of the Avengers.
However, Pedro Pascal was quick to clarify that such a storyline is not officially part of his character arc—at least not yet.
“It’s big news to me, for one,” Pascal said with a chuckle. “Matt was doing an interview and when he was speaking about Reed, there is something that happens within the comics—he’s sort of drawn in by the Avengers family and asked to be put in a leadership position. But it’s not necessarily something that my character’s future entails.”
Not Dodging Spoilers—Just Being Real
Pascal, 50, emphasized that he wasn’t trying to hide any major plot points or avoid spoilers. Instead, he insisted he was being completely transparent.
“I’m not even trying to avoid spoilers. I’m just saying, it’s a little bit of a… mislead,” he added, noting that while the comic book version of Reed Richards does take on significant leadership roles, that doesn’t automatically translate to the MCU storyline.
What’s Next for Reed Richards in the MCU?
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps currently playing in theaters and Avengers: Doomsday scheduled for release next year, fans are eagerly speculating about how Marvel’s Phase 6 will unfold. While Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Mr. Fantastic has already generated significant buzz, his recent remarks suggest that leadership of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes may lie elsewhere—at least for now.
Still, as any MCU fan knows, plans can change rapidly, and future crossovers could open the door for Reed Richards to play a larger role down the line.
