Marvel Studios
After years of rumors, the first cast member of Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four has apparently been revealed.
According to reports from various sources, including Deadline and Slash Film, none other than Pedro Pascal has signed on to play Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four.
While a deal is reportedly “far from done,” Pascal is engaged in talks to take on the key MCU role, as Reed Richards is the leader of the Fantastic Four and will likely be a key member of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Pascal’s casting has been confirmed by Deadline
— Post Cred Pod (@PostCredPod) November 15, 2023
As for other members of the team, that can now be worked out as it was essential to figure out who would be playing Richards before they could go out with offers to others. The hope would be to shoot early next year, so expect this cast to fill out quickly with director Matt Shakman currently in pre-production at Pinewood Studios in England. [via Deadline]
Pascal joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe is just the latest franchise that the 48-year-old has been a part of, as he’s also appeared in projects such as Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman 1984, The Last of Us, and The Mandalorian.
It will likely be some time until Pascal can shoot Fantastic Four — set to be directed by WandaVision filmmaker Matt Shakman — as he’s set to star in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel and the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us.
While no other casting news for Fantastic Four has been announced, rumors have long indicated that Academy Award nominee Vanessa Kirby — most recently seen starring as Josephine in Scott’s Napoleon — will be playing Sue Storm / Invisible Woman.
At this time, Fantastic Four is currently scheduled to hit movie theaters in the United States on Friday, May 2, 2025. If that release date holds, Fantastic Four will be one of many MCU movies to release that year, as Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Blade are also set for 2025.