The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is no stranger to high stakes, but the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to premiere on July 25, 2025, is already mired in controversy. At the center of the storm is Pedro Pascal, cast as Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, whose alleged “disturbing past” has sparked a firestorm of speculation online. A YouTube video titled “Pedro Pascal’s DISTURBING Past EXPOSED” has fueled rumors, claiming undisclosed personal and professional missteps that could jeopardize the film’s success. With fans already divided over Pascal’s casting and the film’s retro-futuristic 1960s setting, the question looms: is Marvel’s First Family doomed before it even takes flight?
The Allegations: What’s Behind the “Disturbing Past”?
The YouTube video, uploaded on May 27, 2025, by an anonymous content creator, alleges that Pedro Pascal’s past includes incidents that paint him as an unreliable figure for a franchise as massive as the MCU. While the video lacks concrete evidence, it points to unverified anecdotes from Pascal’s early career, including claims of on-set conflicts and a supposed fallout with unnamed colleagues. The video also insinuates that Pascal’s rapid rise to fame—spanning Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and now The Fantastic Four—has bred resentment among peers, with one cryptic comment suggesting, “He’s not who you think he is.” These vague accusations have ignited debates on platforms like Reddit, where fans question whether Pascal’s casting was a hasty decision driven by his current popularity rather than suitability for the role of the cerebral Reed Richards.
Adding fuel to the fire, Pascal himself has admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the role. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he confessed, “I wasn’t ready for this. It was really intimidating”. While Pascal’s candor reflects his awareness of the pressure to meet fan expectations, detractors interpret it as a sign of weakness, arguing that his self-doubt could translate into a lackluster performance. The actor’s comments about relying on his co-stars—Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm)—to “hold me to the experience” have further raised eyebrows, with some speculating that he may not be fully prepared to lead Marvel’s First Family.
Fan Backlash and Casting Controversies
Pascal’s casting as Reed Richards has been polarizing since it was announced in February 2024. On Reddit, a thread titled “To those of you who feel strongly that Pedro Pascal shouldn’t play Reed, why do you feel that way?” garnered over 200 votes and 350 comments, highlighting fan discontent. Critics argue that Pascal, known for emotionally intense roles like Joel Miller in The Last of Us, lacks the stoic, intellectual demeanor of Reed Richards. One user wrote, “Pedro looks nothing like Reed Richards, also Pedro doesn’t seem like he can play a smart character. He’s too goofy looking!” Others expressed fatigue with Pascal’s omnipresence in pop culture, with sentiments like, “I’m fed up of seeing Pedro Pascal everywhere. There are other actors out there Hollywood!”
The backlash isn’t just about Pascal’s fit for the role. Some fans believe Marvel’s decision to cast a “flavor of the month” star reflects a broader trend of prioritizing name recognition over character fidelity, citing past missteps like Michael Douglas as Hank Pym. The studio’s reported reluctance to meet salary demands from actors like Adam Driver and Jake Gyllenhaal for the role of Reed Richards suggests budget constraints may have influenced the casting, further fueling skepticism about the project’s ambition.
The Film’s Troubled Path: A Period Piece Gamble
Beyond Pascal’s controversies, The Fantastic Four: First Steps faces scrutiny for its creative direction. Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s Manhattan, the film aims to evoke the era of the team’s comic book debut in 1961, with director Matt Shakman drawing inspiration from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. While the aesthetic has been praised for its bold departure from the MCU’s modern sheen, critics argue that a period piece risks alienating younger audiences who view the Fantastic Four as outdated. A CBR article warned that this setting “could validate wrong opinions about the First Family” being irrelevant in today’s superhero landscape.
Previous Fantastic Four films, produced by 20th Century Fox, have left a tarnished legacy. The 2005 and 2007 movies starring Ioan Gruffudd were criticized for their campy tone, while the 2015 reboot with Miles Teller was a critical and commercial disaster. Marvel’s attempt to redeem the franchise comes with immense pressure, especially as it kicks off Phase Six of the MCU, leading into Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The inclusion of high-profile villains like Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) raises the stakes, but some fear that Pascal’s alleged baggage and the film’s unconventional setting could undermine its potential.
Pascal’s Defense: A Star Under Pressure
Despite the allegations, Pascal has a robust fanbase that defends his versatility and work ethic. His performances as Oberyn Martell, Din Djarin, and Joel Miller showcase a range that spans charisma, stoicism, and emotional depth. In an interview with ComicBook, Pascal revealed his approach to Reed Richards, emphasizing the character’s intellect over his elastic powers: “With Reed, his body may stretch, but this is a brain character. I thought of the brilliance of an octopus”. This unconventional inspiration suggests Pascal is diving deep into the role, aiming to portray Reed as a multifaceted genius navigating fatherhood, leadership, and cosmic threats.
Director Matt Shakman has also vouched for Pascal, stating, “I was looking for an actor who could contain multitudes. There’s the cerebral Reed Richards, and then there’s the action hero, the leader, the husband, the father, the friend. I knew Pedro could do all of that”. Shakman’s confidence is echoed by the film’s cast, with Ebon Moss-Bachrach praising Pascal’s collaborative spirit during a fan event in Huntsville, Alabama, where the trailer debuted.
Pascal’s preparation for the role further counters the narrative of unreliability. He has described an intense memorization process, developed after an embarrassing on-set incident early in his career, where he meticulously breaks down scripts to nail complex dialogue. This diligence could prove vital for Reed Richards, a character whose scientific jargon and strategic thinking are central to the story.
The Bigger Picture: Can Marvel Overcome the Odds?
The controversy surrounding Pascal is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a linchpin for the MCU’s future, introducing Marvel’s First Family and setting the stage for multiversal conflicts involving Doctor Doom (rumored to appear in a post-credits scene). The film’s ensemble cast, including Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, has been well-received, and the trailer’s retro aesthetic has sparked excitement for its unique tone. However, the shadow of Pascal’s alleged past and the fanbase’s divided reaction pose significant challenges.
The YouTube video’s claims remain unverified, and without concrete evidence, they risk being dismissed as clickbait. Still, the viral nature of such accusations highlights the intense scrutiny faced by high-profile actors in the social media age. Pascal’s own reflections on the role suggest he is acutely aware of the stakes: “You really want to make people happy, especially if it’s something that’s widely known with particular expectations around it”. Whether he can channel this pressure into a defining performance remains to be seen.
Conclusion: A Franchise at a Crossroads
As The Fantastic Four: First Steps approaches its July 2025 release, the film stands at a crossroads. Pedro Pascal’s alleged “disturbing past” has cast a shadow, but the lack of substantiated evidence suggests it may be more noise than substance. The real test lies in whether Pascal can embody Reed Richards’ intellectual gravitas and lead a cast tasked with reviving a beloved but battered franchise. With Marvel banking on the Fantastic Four to usher in a new era, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Pascal’s star power and dedication overcome the doubters, or is the film truly doomed from the start? Only time—and the box office—will tell.
