‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’: Pedro Pascal Reveals Unlikely Inspiration Behind His Take on Reed Richards

Pedro Pascal isn’t just flexing his acting chops he’s stretching himself to new dimensions for his role as Reed Richards in upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While fans might expect Mister Fantastic’s signature power—his rubbery elasticity—to be front and center, Pascal is turning the spotlight elsewhere: the mind. In a recent interview with ComicBook, the actor revealed he’s digging deep into the intellectual side of Marvel’s iconic genius.

Rather than mimicking stretchy punches and elongated limbs, Pascal has been zeroing in on Reed Richards’ brilliance. He’s less concerned with the flashy superpowers and more with portraying a character who can outthink just about anyone in the Marvel Universe. That’s a bold move, especially in a franchise where punching problems is the usual method of choice.

And here’s the twist, Pascal drew inspiration not from other superheroes, but from one of the smartest creatures in the natural world. It’s a left-field choice that makes perfect sense once you remember Reed Richards is more scientist than soldier. This version of Mister Fantastic isn’t just a man who can bend his body, he’s someone who can bend reality through science, calculation, and pure brainpower.

With Reed, his body may stretch, but this is a brain character. I guess I’ll just give it completely away. I thought of the brilliance of an octopus. Not in any literal physical translated way, but I put it into my subconscious. Yeah. That’s the biggest character secret reveal that I’ve given to you.

This unexpected comparison hints at a version of Reed Richards shaped by sharp intellect, quick adaptability, and the kind of complex, creative problem-solving you’d expect from one of nature’s smartest creatures.

It’s a particularly interesting contrast when you consider Pascal’s turn as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian, where physicality and combat are key. For Fantastic Four, he’s swapping the armor and blasters for lab coats and equations and honestly, it sounds like the perfect pivot. After all, when your team is facing off against the world-devouring Galactus, brainpower might be your only hope.

With a star-studded cast and cosmic stakes, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be more than just another superhero flick. And if Pascal’s version of Reed Richards can think his way through the chaos, we might be in for a fresh kind of heroism—one where the smartest man in the universe finally takes center stage.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25.

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