In a pivotal update for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman has clarified earlier comments about Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, potentially leading the Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday. His remarks address speculation about the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, signaling a nuanced role for Marvel’s First Family in the MCU’s Phase Six.
Last week, Matt Shakman briefly described Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards as evolving from a scientist to a leader, prompting speculation that he might lead the Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on December 18, 2026. This contrasted with expectations of Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson or Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s Thunderbolts team leading the Avengers.
In a ScreenRant interview published today, Shakman addressed the speculation, stating, “So I actually didn’t say that… The internet ran with it. So the question asked me about casting Pedro and about, and I was talking about Reed Richards in the comic books and how Reed Richards is sometimes the cerebral scientist. Sometimes he's off leading the Avengers, sometimes he's a father, a husband, whatever.”
He further emphasized Pascal’s fit for the role, noting the need for an actor who could portray “somebody who is believably the smartest man in the universe, somebody who will jump into the action and be believable as a leader.” Shakman deferred specifics about Avengers: Doomsday to directors Joe and Anthony Russo, suggesting Reed will play a significant but undefined role.
This clarification emphasizes that Shakman was referring to Reed Richards’ comic book persona as a brilliant scientist and leader of the Fantastic Four, not confirming a leadership role in Avengers: Doomsday. He deferred specifics to directors Joe and Anthony Russo, suggesting Reed will play a significant but undefined role.
Why Reed Richards as Avengers Leader Makes Sense
The idea of Reed Richards leading the Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday aligns with his established persona in Marvel Comics, where he is one of Earth’s most brilliant minds, frequently spearheading strategic efforts in major crossover events like Secret Wars. His intellectual genius, paired with his experience tackling cosmic threats like Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, positions him as a natural fit to guide the Avengers through the complex multiversal challenges posed by Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), a character with whom Reed shares a deep-rooted comic book rivalry. This history suggests Reed’s strategic acumen and personal stakes could make him a central figure in orchestrating the team’s response to Doom’s schemes, offering a fresh dynamic to the Avengers’ leadership.
Phase Six, beginning with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, navigates a leaderless Avengers post-Avengers: Endgame. Sam Wilson’s role in Captain America: Brave New World and the Thunderbolts team introduce competing leadership dynamics. Reed’s intellectual prowess and history with Doctor Doom suggest he could be a pivotal strategist in Avengers: Doomsday, even if not the formal leader, as the MCU tackles multiversal challenges.
Shakman’s clarification underscores the Fantastic Four’s growing importance. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, shot for IMAX with a 2001: A Space Odyssey-inspired aesthetic, sets up their integration into Avengers: Doomsday. Reed’s dynamic with Doctor Doom and his family-oriented arc, alongside Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), will likely shape the MCU’s narrative trajectory. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is slated for theatrical release on July 25, 2025, followed by Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026.
Source: ScreenRant
