John Krasinski Immediately Begins Trending as MCU Fans Question Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic

Pedro Pascal looks likely to take on the mantle of Mister Fantastic for the MCU’s upcoming Fantastic Four movie, but many Marvel fans have a different actor in mind for the role.

Immediately after reports emerged that Pascal was in talks for the lead role in Matt Shakman’s reboot, John Krasinski began trending on X/Twitter as fans questioned why Marvel was declining to bring back The Office veteran.

Really not understanding why MARVEL doesn’t just give the Reed Richards role to John Krasinski. He’s already played a variant of Mr. Fantastic. Just give him the role.

— Angry Panthers Fan (@VicDaGreat94) November 15, 2023

“Really not understanding why Marvel doesn’t just give the Reed Richards role to John Krasinski. He’s already played a variant of Mr. Fantastic. Just give him the role,” one fan wrote in a post that seemed to summarize fan sentiment.

Similar opinions were expressed on social channels such as Reddit. While many fans were complimentary of Pascal, they debated the merits of bringing in an established actor versus one who could grow into the role. Some pointed to James Gunn’s Superman movie, which features a relative unknown in David Corenswet as the Man of Steel.

“At best he’s a doctor doom [sic]. He ain’t no Reed Richards,” one fan wrote.

Some of the skepticism stems from Krasinski’s turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness following fan demand. Fans were pleased with the cameo, but Krasinski wasn’t asked back.

“I was honored to do it,” Krasinski said, speaking about the experience. “I flew right from Budapest when we wrapped and went right to the Doctor Strange set. I’m a big fan of all those characters and that world, so to get to play in that sandbox for one day was a real thrill.”

Pascal does have his defenders among Marvel fans. In defending the potential casting, one fan wrote, “I know a lot of people wanted John Krasinski to stay, but remembering his performance in Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent AND Mandalorian, I think he actually has both the comedic and dramatic chops to play Reed Richards.”

Other fans observed that they didn’t think Pascal would work as Joel in The Last of Us, but that his performance quickly won them over. IGN readers, for their part, seem split on the choice. In an unscientific poll with 944 respondents, roughly 52 percent of readers said they thought Pascal was the wrong choice for the role.

Pascal has not yet been confirmed for the role, but talks are said to be going well. One way or another, Fantastic Four looks to begin filming early next year, with a release date currently set for May 2, 2025. For more, check out our complete list of what to expect from Phase 5 over the rest of 2023 and beyond.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.