Pedro Pascal Faces Backlash Over His ‘Fantastic Four’ Moment with Vanessa Kirby, Highlighting the Toxicity of Some Fandoms

As a seasoned Marvel enthusiast with a heart full of nostalgia for the Fantastic Four, I must say that the recent controversy surrounding Pedro Pascal and his portrayal of Reed Richards is nothing short of disheartening. Having lived through my fair share of ups and downs in the fandom, I’ve learned to appreciate the artistry and effort that goes into bringing these beloved characters to life on screen.


‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ has generated immense excitement as one of the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, introducing Marvel’s original family and eminent characters such as Galactus, Silver Surfer, Franklin Richards, and assorted villains into the MCU. However, even before its premiere, a part of the fanbase is attempting to undermine the film’s credibility.

The main controversy centers around the casting choices, with fans upset over Silver Surfer being portrayed by a woman, leading to actress Julia Garner receiving significant backlash. Surprisingly, Pedro Pascal has also become a target of criticism from some fans.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I’ve been grappling with the casting announcement of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, a role that was shared among fans’ hopes for quite some time. However, since the news broke around half a year ago, there’s been a noticeable wave of discontent from fellow enthusiasts, primarily because Pascal has become something of an omnipresent figure in recent projects. Truth be told, many of us had our hearts set on John Krasinski returning to the role after his brief appearance in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

The latest incident surrounding Pascal’s critique seems surprisingly minor. At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Pascal and his ‘Fantastic Four’ co-star Vanessa Kirby were observed standing together during a panel discussion. At one instance, Pascal seemed to reach towards Kirby, suggesting they had a brief, affectionate contact. An account on X (previously Twitter) that captured the moment alleged that Pascal was experiencing anxiety and needed physical contact to calm down.

Although there’s been no direct confirmation from Pascal himself, it’s worth noting that the actor once shared his experience dealing with anxiety. He claimed to have overcome this issue after learning effective management strategies.

Anxiety has been a constant presence in my life since my childhood, shaping my personality in some way. I can’t imagine who I might be without it. I strive to control it, but it’s an essential aspect that contributes to my unique identity.

I understand that exposing myself to high-pressure scenarios is essential for my happiness, as long as it’s reasonable. There’s an acceptable amount of tension that encourages me to perform well. This anxiety keeps me alert and focused on the important aspects of my work.

Regardless, some of the comments on the footage were far from supportive:

“Anxiety.”

— Spank (@mentaldischarge) August 16, 2024

That’s very strange. Is it a medical need to touch someone to calm down? Very strange act.

— عام آدمی (@piracha_a) August 16, 2024

Many sexual offenders have the same condition

— Itsme (@itsme_urstruly) August 16, 2024

That’s a very good excuse.

— Words Of The Wise (@WordsOfTheWises) August 16, 2024

So he’s a fucking weirdo, like I knew he was?

— Casual Combat⚔️ (@casualcombat4) August 16, 2024

Expressing concern or unease through “anxiety” towards others can be quite unsettling. It’s hard to believe someone could behave in such a manner. This individual, unfortunately, seems to have a history of being uncomfortable or inappropriate, making him rather suspicious.

— Matt Victor (@MattVictor191) August 16, 2024

Damn I didn’t know my uncle had anxiety

— sk (@skrari4) August 16, 2024

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2024-08-18 10:13