Last week, we learned that Pedro Pascal is the current frontrunner to play Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot. The actor has previously expressed a desire to join the MCU, and leading Marvel's First Family is the sort of role which is bound to make him a bona fide movie star.
Despite impressing in The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and even Wonder Woman 1984 (Pascal was an undeniable highlight), some have questioned whether he has what it takes to play the Marvel Universe's smartest superhero.
We're confident he'd nail it, but a new piece of fan art suggests the actor would be a better fit for Doctor Doom.
When the news broke that Pascal was being eyed to play Reed, there were some rumblings online that he might be in talks for a villainous role. Enough reliable sources have claimed it's Mister Fantastic, though, so we're not expecting him to suddenly be announced as the MCU's Victor Von Doom.
Looking at this artwork, it's hard to argue with the notion Pascal would make for a suitably terrifying Doom, though we'd bet on him being reluctant to play yet another character whose face is hidden beneath a mask (particularly after previously saying, "I do want [to join the MCU]. I want to be in movies").
Recently, it's been rumoured that Marvel Studios plans to replace Kang the Conqueror with Doom, making him the Multiverse Saga's new big bad. That's easier said than done, especially as it's previously been reported the villain will only make a cameo appearance in Fantastic Four's post-credits scene.
If Pascal signs up to star in Fantastic Four, then a full casting announcement is expected to follow. Vanessa Kirby remains the frontrunner to play Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), who is said to be the movie's lead, with Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach playing the Human Torch and The Thing, respectively.
Javier Bardem, meanwhile, is being eyed to play Galactus, though Antonio Banderas also remains in the mix to suit up as the Eater of Worlds.
Director Matt Shakman has worked with both Avatar: The Way of Water co-writer Josh Friedman and WandaVision's Cam Squires on the latest draft of Fantastic Four's screenplay. The movie is currently scheduled to be released in theaters on May 2, 2025.