Pedro Pascal Faces Backlash as Fantastic Four Box Office Struggles

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has long been a juggernaut in Hollywood, but its latest offering, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has stumbled at the box office, raising eyebrows and sparking heated discussions across social media. With a global gross of just $257 million against a hefty $350 million budget, the film has failed to capture the magic of Marvel’s earlier successes, trailing behind competitors like James Gunn’s Superman and a Jurassic World sequel. Adding fuel to the fire, Pedro Pascal, the film’s star playing Reed Richards, has found himself at the center of a storm, reportedly losing millions of fans due to his outspoken political comments targeting Donald Trump, MAGA, and their supporters. This controversy, combined with the film’s underwhelming performance, has left Disney and Marvel scrambling to salvage their reputation as the MCU heads toward Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps was meant to herald a bold new chapter for Marvel’s First Family, set in a retro-futuristic 1960s world. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film boasts a talented cast, including Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Early reactions praised its stunning visuals and Pascal’s performance, with Variety noting, “Pedro Pascal nails it as Mr. Fantastic. Vanessa Kirby stands out as Sue Storm – she’s a shooting star.” Yet, despite this initial buzz, the film’s box office numbers tell a different story. Posts on X reveal a growing sentiment of “MCU fatigue,” with one user, @BlackMajikMan90, stating, “It’s not comic book movie fatigue, it’s MCU fatigue.” The film’s second weekend saw a steep 60% drop, a sign of its front-loaded performance and lack of sustained audience interest.

Pascal’s political remarks have only amplified the challenges facing the film. Known for his roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, Pascal has never shied away from expressing his views. In 2020, he drew ire for comparing migrant children in U.S. border detention to Nazi concentration camps and likening Trump voters to Nazis. More recently, during a promotional interview for The Fantastic Four, Pascal sparked controversy by endorsing a co-star’s comment about throwing “fascists” into space, widely interpreted as a jab at Trump and his base. “F*****g A!” Pascal exclaimed, high-fiving Ebon Moss-Bachrach during an IMDb fan Q&A, as reported by That Park Place. This moment went viral, igniting debates about Hollywood’s role in polarized politics and further alienating some fans.

The backlash has been swift and vocal. On X, users have called out Pascal’s comments as divisive, with @fantasticpascal criticizing Disney for supporting controversial rhetoric, stating, “respected by her co-stars mind you she shared scenes with pedro pascal and was extremely transphobic knowing his little sister is trans. fuck you, disney, you don’t care about your people at ALL.” Others, like @PhilDL616, noted, “The fact that he has to address this at all is a testament to how much so.” The sentiment suggests a growing divide between Pascal’s fanbase and those who feel his political outspokenness overshadows his work.

This isn’t the first time a Marvel star’s off-screen behavior has impacted a film’s reception. Rachel Zegler’s political comments were linked to the commercial failure of Disney’s Snow White, which grossed just $143.1 million against a $350 million budget. Bleeding Fool warned, “Pascal’s divisive rhetoric and calls for boycotts of other studio productions threaten to overshadow Fantastic Four: First Steps and could ultimately hurt its box office prospects far more than a gender-swapped Silver Surfer.” The parallels are striking, as Disney and Marvel grapple with the consequences of their stars’ public personas.

Despite the controversy, Pascal remains a pivotal figure in the MCU’s future, with his role as Reed Richards confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday in 2026. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has emphasized the importance of the Fantastic Four’s Baxter Building in the upcoming crossover, signaling confidence in the franchise. However, the current backlash raises questions about whether Pascal’s star power can overcome the growing discontent among fans. As one X user, @BeauDemayo, pointed out, “Reed’s mind is talked about, not felt,” suggesting the film failed to fully capitalize on Pascal’s strengths.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps was meant to be a triumphant return for Marvel’s First Family, but its box office struggles and Pascal’s polarizing comments have cast a shadow over its legacy. As the MCU navigates a critical juncture, the question remains: can Disney and Marvel steer the ship back on course, or will controversies like these continue to erode their once-unshakable dominance? Only time, and the success of upcoming films, will tell.