'The Fantastic Four': Viewers Say 'Overrated' Actor 'Ruined' the Movie – Details

Netizens are unimpressed with a particular casting choice for "The Fantastic Four." The online discourse follows comments made by the film's stars last year (2024).

The upcoming Marvel film, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," is set to be released in July 2025. However, social media users are upset about a particular Hollywood star being cast as one of the main characters, arguing that he doesn't quite fit the role.

On February 4, 2025, Marvel Entertainment released the anticipated teaser for the superhero film on YouTube.

While the footage is certainly riveting—showcasing eye-catching visuals from the movie featuring A-listers Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn—many online viewers couldn't overlook the fact that Pascal was cast as Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic.

In response to a comment about Pascal, a YouTuber expressed, "his [sic] casting is the worst thing about this movie. He's in too many prominent roles right now for it to feel immersed that he is Reed Richard's. (Edited for context) [sic]."

"He just doesn't fit the looks of Reed Richards. This is why John Krasinski was a fan choice, because he suits the looks and is a known actor," added an unimpressed netizen.

Yet another social media user chimed in with, "he's an overrated actor who is miscast in everything he does 'The Last of Us,' 'Wonder Woman 2,' 'Gladiator 2,' the list goes on and on [sic]," while an observer asserted, "You ruined it by putting Pedro Pascal. HARDCORE PASS!"

Echoing the sentiments, another spectator opined, "Terrible casting." "I love Pedro Pascal but he is not right for the role," reasoned a Facebooker.

An X user stated, "The worst casting in this movie." While the majority agreed that Pascal was not the ideal choice for the film, a few fans felt differently. "PEDRO THIS LOOKS SO GOOD [sic]," swooned a supporter, while another gushed, "You're so FANTASTIC as always [...] Proud of you beyond words!"

Despite the heated debate surrounding Pascal's casting, "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" promises to deliver an action-packed story centered on Marvel's iconic superhero team.

The film follows Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm as they confront their greatest challenge yet—balancing their heroic responsibilities with the unbreakable ties of family.

However, their unity is put to the test when Earth faces an existential threat in the form of Galactus, a cosmic entity with an insatiable hunger, and his formidable enforcer, the Silver Surfer.

Bringing this ambitious tale to life is director Matt Shakman with a screenplay penned by Peter Cameron, Josh Friedman, and Jeff Kaplan.

Long before the online backlash over Pascal's casting took center stage, the film's leading stars shared their excitement about portraying Marvel's beloved superhero family. During the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, the cast, along with director Shakman, discussed the film, offering insight into their experience bringing the Fantastic Four to life.

Their remarks, later shared by Marvel Studios' official X account on July 30, 2024, revealed both enthusiasm and camaraderie among the team.

Pascal, embracing his role as the group's leader, reflected on the heart of the story, stating, "We're really, really stepping into, I think, the essence of what this comic is and, uhm, the original Marvel family."

When asked what excited him most about the film, he responded with a playful nod to his co-stars, saying, "We'll say us," prompting laughter from Kirby, who said, "We'll say that the 1960s is pretty cool." The film's setting appears to be a key element, with Pascal enthusiastically agreeing, "Yeah! Yeah, exactly."

Quinn and Moss-Bachrach, in a separate segment, kept things lighthearted, with Quinn revealing that filming was about to begin imminently on either a Monday or a Tuesday, though he humorously noted, "One of those days."

Meanwhile, Shakman, speaking on his own, emphasized what makes this iteration of "The Fantastic Four" unique and exciting. "So many things, I can't pick one! But a part of it's the family, I mean this is Marvel's first family, we have four amazing actors, they are a family already," he shared.

At another point, Kirby didn't hold back in praising her co-stars, particularly Pascal, calling him "one of the best actors I've ever witnessed and worked with," and asking, "Who could possibly be better to lead this movie?"

Pascal, clearly reveling in the camaraderie, jokingly responded, "Vanessa Kirby is my assassin. She's a killer."

Beyond the cast dynamics, Shakman highlighted the film's world-building as another major draw. "It's also the world. It's a completely new world," he highlighted, hinting at the fresh take Marvel Studios is bringing to the beloved comic series.

Pascal added to the intrigue, remarking, "We're going into an era where the comic was born." Concluding the segment, Quin marveled, "Isn't that exciting?"

Offering further insight into his perspective on the movie, Pascal reflected on the unique balance between the film's grand scale and the deep personal connections forged among the cast.

"It's incredible to be able to share any of this with the world. There is something—I'm still kind of marveling at—around a project of this size having the kind of intimacy of this cast, which makes sense," he expressed.

He continued, "It's a family, one of the original Marvel families, and uhm… to be able to kind of like nest in that through this experience and then bring everyone else into it and share something that truly is—feels special."

Despite the divided reception to his casting, his passion for the project is evident, and with the film's July 2025 release on the horizon, audiences will soon have the chance to see how Marvel's First Family is reimagined.