Pedro Pascal, who recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, shared his thoughts on how his character might respond to Robert Downey Jr.’s iconic Tony Stark. Pascal’s portrayal of Reed Richards will premiere in the upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps and continues in Avengers: Doomsday. Addressing the dynamic between Reed and Tony Stark, Pascal acknowledged the remarkable charisma and wit Downey Jr. brought to the role.
How Reed Richards Would Respond to Tony Stark’s Presence
In an interview with ComicBook, Pascal expressed his character’s likely reaction to Stark’s combination of intelligence and charm. He said,
Oh gosh, I [Reed] would have been so perplexed by him [Tony]. I feel like I wouldn’t have even have gotten — I wouldn’t even have tried to participate at his skill of conversation anyway.
Pascal also added,
And if he was willing to, you know, talk science, then I’d be in heaven. But if he was like, you know, running a room, I would, I’d just sit back and be an audience member, I think.
These remarks highlight Reed’s admiration for Tony’s conversational skills, while noting Reed’s own preference to observe rather than compete in social situations.
Shared Scientific Interests Could Bridge Reed and Tony’s Differences
Though Pedro Pascal emphasizes the contrast between Tony’s social dominance and Reed’s more reserved nature, he acknowledges a common ground the two characters share—science. In the MCU, Tony Stark’s close relationship with Bruce Banner is built on their mutual passion for scientific inquiry. Similarly, Reed Richards and Tony Stark could connect deeply over their intellectual pursuits despite contrasting personalities.
Family Roles and Future MCU Interactions
Beyond their scientific interests, familial responsibilities represent another point of similarity between the characters. Tony Stark, seen as a father figure in Avengers: Endgame, declines to join the effort to reverse Thanos’ actions in Avengers: Infinity War. Meanwhile, Reed Richards is expected to become the father of Franklin Richards, the son of Ada Scott, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Although Reed’s storyline focuses on facing his comic book adversary, Doctor Doom, played against Robert Downey Jr.’s future recasting of Tony Stark remains a possibility. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed that Tony Stark will be recast, allowing for potential interactions between the new versions of Stark and Richards in upcoming projects.
Upcoming Releases Featuring Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters on July 25, 2025, followed by Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026. These films will offer fans a closer look at Reed Richards’ character and his role within the evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe.
