Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 12, 2025 · Entertainment

Pedro Pascal Breaks Down on Being 'Too Old' for Fantastic Four Role

Pedro Pascal has responded to critics who say he¿s 'too old' to have been cast in the newest Fantastic Four film; pictured on July 10 in London

PEDRO PASCAL SHUTS DOWN "TOO OLD" CRITICS: THE ACTOR TALKS ABOUT THE PRESSURE OF PLAYING MR. FANTASTIC AT 50

Pedro Pascal is not here for your negativity, folks! The 50-year-old actor has been responding to critics who claim he's too old to play the role of Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic) in the highly anticipated movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

But don't worry, Pedro doesn't let the haters get him down. In an exclusive interview with AP News, he opened up about the online backlash and revealed that it's had a toll on his mental health. "I think sometimes the outside will find you, no matter how much you try to protect yourself from it," he explained. "And it just comes with the territory."

Pascal plays Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, in the Marvel movie

It seems like Pedro is taking all the negativity in stride, but we can't help but wonder what really goes on behind those charming eyes of his. After all, as an A-lister, he's used to dealing with criticism and scrutiny. But this time around, it's different.

"I think maybe my nerves were bigger than they usually are," Pedro confessed, "and so I think I just was a little bit more sensitive to the love that people have for stories like this, because I know that they wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the love that people have for these characters."

We can imagine how difficult it must be for Pedro to deal with the pressure of playing such an iconic character. After all, expectations are high when you're stepping into the shoes of a superhero legend like Mr. Fantastic.

Pascal explained that while he typically ignores negative comments relating to his work, being hurt by backlash sometimes 'comes with the territory'

"It's very important for me that expectations be fulfilled," Pedro said, "but I also know that the only way to do that is to give it all my focus and all my heart and my body and my soul...and so that was the best I could do."

So, what does Pedro think about the criticism he's facing? Does he really care what these armchair experts have to say?

"I don't pay attention to it," Pedro said with a shrug. "I try not to let it get in my head. But at the same time, as an actor, you know that you're going to face some kind of criticism or judgment."

'I think maybe my nerves were bigger than they usually are, and so I think I just was a little bit more sensitive to the love that people have for stories like this, because I know that they wouldn¿t exist if it weren¿t for the love that people have for these characters,' he explained on the red carpet of a Fantastic Four fan event in London this week; pictured July 11

Well, Pedro Pascal's fans are definitely not judging him! In fact, they're going wild over his performance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

In a recent social media frenzy, fans took to X (yes, we said X!) to express their excitement and admiration for the movie. One fan wrote, "Okay the Fantastic Four trailer wasn't bad. I'm pleasantly surprised." Another added, "I'm not even a Fantastic Four fan, but this looks really sleek...it's nailing the period setting in the same way that First Avenger did."

Someone else chimed in, "Watched the Fantastic Four trailer and I actually excited for a Marvel movie again." And yet another fan revealed, "The only ones [superhero comics] I've been able to stomach are the Fantastic Four. The trailer looks so great...I need this!"

He added that he felt pressure to 'fulfill expectations' as he portrayed Mr. Fantastic

It seems like Pedro's fans are not buying into the "too old" narrative. They're clearly hyped up for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which hits theaters on July 25.

So, what does the future hold for Pedro Pascal? For one thing, he thinks that being 50 is "the best time of my life." And we have to agree with him! After all, at 50, Pedro is still rocking it like a boss. Just look at those chiseled abs and that dashing smile!

"It's an incredible reflection of what I'm experiencing right now," Pedro gushed to AP News. "I'm having a really amazing time."

We couldn't agree more, Pedro! You're crushing it in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

Cast Members

  • Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic)
  • Vanessa Kirby
  • Julia Garner
  • Joseph Quinn
  • John Malkovich

**The Fantastic Four: First Steps Hits Theaters on July 25