Pedro Pascal Stands By One of Disney’s Lowest-Budget Marvel Films — And His Reason Might Win You Over

Pedro Pascal knows exactly what people said when he signed on as Reed Richards in Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He has heard the age jokes, the beard notes, the whole thing. Meanwhile, the movie itself is quietly shaping up to be one of Disney's cheapest MCU productions ever. Also: Pascal wrote a wildly heartfelt message for his longtime friend Sarah Paulson that pretty much melts the cynicism right out of you.

Pascal on the Reed Richards backlash

I am more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I have ever done.

That is Pascal, via Variety, on the immediate reaction to him playing Mr. Fantastic. He says he keeps hearing the same refrains: he is too old, he is not the right fit, he should shave. The usual internet chorus.

Vanessa Kirby, who plays Sue Storm opposite Pascal, pushed back on that energy with a character witness that actually tells you something about what he brings to the role.

He does not have much armor, so he shows himself to you straight away, and you trust that person because he is revealing himself to you in this very brave way.

Translation: he leads with vulnerability, which is a smart angle for Reed. And for what it is worth, co-stars generally rave about Pascal. Not shocking if you have watched his last few years.

So... is First Steps really one of Disney's cheapest MCU movies?

Short answer: looks that way. Newly filed U.K. production paperwork indicates The Fantastic Four: First Steps was made for less than any MCU title Disney has shot in Britain in the last decade. That is the comparison point in the filings.

Forbes adds some color on what they built for that money: the film is set in a 1960s retro-futurist world, with flying vintage cars and sleek mid-century skylines. It may look very American, but production actually ran out of Pinewood Studios in the U.K., which helped stretch the dollars (well, pounds) without dialing down the visual ambition.

• Shot at Pinewood Studios in the U.K., despite its Americana vibe
• Leans into a 1960s retro-futuristic aesthetic: flying classic cars, mid-century cityscapes
• Benefited from the U.K.'s Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit, which reimburses up to 25.5% of qualifying local spend (requires at least 10% of core costs in the U.K.)
• Per the U.K. filings, it came in far leaner than other U.K.-shot MCU entries over the past 10 years

Bottom line: by Disney-Marvel standards, this is a bargain. On paper it is one of the studio's most cost-efficient MCU efforts to date.

Off-camera: Pascal's decades-long bond with Sarah Paulson

Career-wise, Pascal is everywhere. Personally, his roots run deep. He and Sarah Paulson go back to 1993 New York, when they were both 18. He is 50 now, and that friendship is still central. He could not make her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on December 2, 2025, but he sent a message that Amanda Peet read during the event (via People).

To Sarah, I will just say there is no me without you. Without you, I would not believe in the moon or the sun in the sky. You are the opening in the road. You are the decorated forest, and most importantly, you are my friend, and I am yours eternally.

Paulson shared her own memory from the early days, including the two of them seeing the movie Fearless together. Three decades later, they still speak about each other with that kind of affection. Not a bad counterpoint to the noise around a comic-book casting.