Reed will easily be the most scrutinized of Pascal's roles as the film marks Marvel's attempt at generating new interest in Fantastic Four films, after Josh Trank's 2015 reboot (which followed two prior moderately successful Fantastic films in 2005 and 2007) underperformed with audiences. But it's a challenge that Pascal doesn't shy away from.

Despite the age-related criticism, Pedro Pascal said it’s very important for him that "expectations be fulfilled." He plays Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.