Marvel's Fantastic Four: Breaking Records and Box Office Slumps!
Pedro Pascal's Superhero Success Sparks Controversy
The blockbuster season has officially begun, and it seems that Pedro Pascal is riding high on his new superhero film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The movie has broken box office records, raking in an estimated $220 million globally, with a whopping $118 million of that coming from the domestic market alone. However, amidst all the excitement, controversy has been swirling around the 50-year-old Mandalorian star.
Pascal's behavior on set and at promotional events has left fans feeling uncomfortable, to say the least. A recent viral clip showed him affectionately stroking the face of Willem Dafoe's wife while the acclaimed actor was standing right next to them. Others have expressed concern about his overly familiar behavior with co-star Vanessa Kirby during interviews. The questions surrounding Pascal's personal life and professional conduct haven't seemed to deter fans, though.
Despite these concerns, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has proven to be a game-changer for Marvel Studios. The film, which boasts an all-star cast, including Pascal, Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the iconic superhero quartet, has taken the top spot at the domestic box office, dethroning the long-running Superman franchise.
Heading into the weekend, projections had forecast a $115 million North American take for the film, making it one of Marvel's best-performing non-sequel debuts in recent years. With a production and marketing budget estimated to be at least $300 million, the success of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a major relief for the studio.
So what's behind the movie's massive success? According to box office analyst David A. Gross, it's all about the standalone approach. "It is a no-homework-required movie," Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed in an interview with The New York Times. "It literally is not connected to anything we've made before." This fresh start seems to be paying off, as fans are embracing the new and improved Fantastic Four team.
The film's release also coincides with a quieter year for superheroes. Only four titles in the genre were released in 2025, down from eight just two years ago. With nothing else scheduled until Supergirl lands in June 2026, studios are taking note of changing audience demands.
As Marvel celebrates its victory, Warner Bros. Discovery is also basking in the glory of its own success. The Superman film has soared past $500 million globally, cementing its place as one of the highest-grossing titles in the franchise's history. Meanwhile, Apple's F1, distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery, has become the top-grossing theatrical release for the tech giant, surpassing 2023's Napoleon.
The success of these films is a testament to the enduring appeal of superheroes on the big screen. However, it remains to be seen whether Pascal's personal controversies will have any lasting impact on his career or the future of Marvel Studios.
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- [Original article]
