With the SAG-AFTRA strike finally over, last night saw the news break that The Mandalorian and The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal has already signed up - or is close to signing up - for the role of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot.
After the likes of Adam Driver, Matt Smith, and Jake Gyllenhaal have all been put through the rumour mill in recent months, Pascal's name being thrown into the mix came as a surprise to fans. However, given the actor's popularity, the response has been largely positive thus far.
As you might expect, it hasn't taken at all long for one talented fan to imagine what the Game of Thrones alum will look like as Reed, and you can take a closer look at that below.
The role promises to present an interesting challenge for Pascal; he's proven himself to be an incredible talent, but the arrogance of Mister Fantastic balanced with the love he has for his family and the fact he's the smartest man alive won't be easy for any actor to portray effectively (neither Miles Teller nor Ioan Gruffudd managed it).
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.
Earlier this year, Pascal was asked if he wanted to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe and responded, "I do want that. I want to be in movies." Despite scoring rave reviews for his small screen work, he's keen to become a bona fide movie star, and how better to do that than star in an MCU franchise?
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.
How do you feel about Pedro Pascal potentially playing the MCU's Mister Fantastic?