Pedro Pascal, the actor dubbed the “Internet’s Daddy and Boyfriend,” is navigating a turbulent 2025, marked by professional setbacks and a swirling online controversy. Known for his charismatic roles in The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and now Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pascal has long been a fan favorite. However, recent events have cast a shadow over his meteoric rise, with his latest projects, including Ari Aster’s Eddington and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, facing criticism and underperforming, while a viral social media storm threatens his public image.
The trouble began with a viral clip from the 2024 Comic-Con, where Pascal was seen holding hands with his Fantastic Four co-star Vanessa Kirby. What seemed like a harmless gesture of camaraderie sparked intense scrutiny. Kirby later addressed the moment in a Vanity Fair interview, explaining, “What happened is we were both incredibly nervous going out in front of thousands of people who love this comic. He wanted me to know that we were in this together, and I found it a lovely gesture and was very glad to squeeze his hand back.” Despite her clarification, some social media users accused Pascal of being overly tactile, with one X post by British activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull gaining over 50 million views, questioning, “He never gets the anxiety gropes around men, does he?” The narrative escalated, with clips of Pascal touching Kirby’s arm or shoulder during press events labeled as “uncomfortable” by detractors.
This backlash coincides with Pascal’s vocal support for trans rights, notably his criticism of J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric, which he called “heinous loser behavior” in a June 2025 Vanity Fair interview. Fans speculate that the timing of the online hate, amplified by Rowling’s allies, suggests a coordinated smear campaign. X user @MischiefsYT, whose post garnered nearly 9,000 likes, described it as “the most obviously coordinated and botted attack I’ve ever seen.” Fellow MCU star Simu Liu also appeared to defend Pascal, tweeting, “Manufactured hate for someone simply because they’re experiencing a moment of extreme visibility is really fucking boring.” Despite the accusations, none of Pascal’s co-stars, including Kirby, have corroborated claims of inappropriate behavior, and many fans continue to rally behind him.
On the professional front, Pascal’s 2025 has been a mixed bag. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where he plays Reed Richards, has received mixed reviews. While some praise its retro-futuristic charm, others criticize its handling of iconic villain Galactus, with social media buzzing about the film’s failure to connect with Marvel’s Earth-616 timeline. A YouTube video from August 21, 2025, titled “Things get WORSE for Pedro Pascal!” claimed the movie is “on track to barely surpass The Incredible Hulk’s $135M domestic run,” a disappointing benchmark for an MCU blockbuster. Similarly, Ari Aster’s Eddington, a dark comedy neo-western set during the 2020 pandemic, has struggled. Despite Pascal’s compelling performance as Mayor Ted Garcia opposite Joaquin Phoenix, the film has flopped on streaming platforms after a lackluster box office run, as noted by a Collider post on August 18, 2025.
Yet, Pascal’s charm and talent remain undeniable. His role in Celine Song’s Materialists, a romantic drama, showcased his versatility, though the film’s weak resolution of its love triangle drew criticism from fans, with one X user, @manujove, lamenting, “The chemistry was off, and the resolutions felt flat.” Still, Pascal’s ability to portray complex, emotional characters—whether as the paternal Joel in The Last of Us or the stretchy Mr. Fantastic—keeps him in demand. His upcoming role in Avengers: Doomsday, set for 2026, signals that Hollywood still sees him as a bankable star.
The question remains: can Pascal weather this storm? His supporters argue that the online backlash is a fleeting distraction, fueled by bad-faith actors, while his professional missteps are par for the course in an industry where not every project lands. Rachel Zegler, who calls Pascal “Dad” for his supportive presence at her Evita premiere, told Hits Radio UK, “One thing about my daddy Pedro, he goes to bat for me in a way that I love so dearly.” As Pascal continues to navigate fame’s highs and lows, his resilience and fanbase suggest he’ll remain a beloved figure, even if the internet’s “Daddy” faces a few growing pains.
