The Fantastic Four: First Steps Star Reveals Why Reed Richards Has a Mustache (You Can Blame DC)

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The iconic team, Marvel’s First Family, also known as the Fantastic Four, is making its grand entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sporting a fresh, updated appearance. In the film The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the team is set in a stylish blend of 1960s retro-futurism, with their characters following suit. This includes a significant change for the team’s leader, Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal), who will sport facial hair instead of his usual clean-shaven look from Marvel Comics. The film, which features Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, is poised to serve as a significant turning point for the MCU and the beginning of Phase Six. During an interview on LADbible’s Agree to Disagree series, Pedro Pascal explained that his character’s facial hair is a result of his role as the villainous Maxwell Lord in DC’s Wonder Woman 1984, as he has developed an aversion to clean-shaven looks.

Pascal remarked that he grows such unappealing facial hair, yet if he were to remove it all, I strongly feel he would appear quite… robust instead. This personal experience resonated with his role in Wonder Woman 1984, where Pascal played Maxwell Lord, a charming but struggling businessman who needed a polished image. Interestingly, this clean-shaven look was a stark contrast to the characters Pascal is commonly associated with, and he admitted he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the final outcome.

In an open admission, Pascal shared his displeasure with how he appeared in “Wonder Woman 1984”. Despite enjoying the film, he felt so uncomfortable with his portrayal that he hasn’t re-watched it unless absolutely necessary. If required to shave for “Fantastic Four” and if they were persistent, he would have complied. However, the looks in the movie were a collaborative effort between all parties involved.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is a Critical Success, Despite Reed Richards’ Facial Hair

Despite differing opinions about Reed Richards’ new appearance, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been a significant triumph for Marvel Studios, receiving high praise from critics. At present, it boasts an impressive “Certified Fresh” rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes following initial reviews, positioning it as one of the most acclaimed titles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This rating surpasses its primary summer rival, DC’s Superman, which stands at 83%. The film’s overwhelmingly positive reception also makes First Steps the highest-rated Fantastic Four movie ever produced, decisively overcoming the criticism that has plagued previous attempts in 2005, 2007, and 2015.

Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25, 2025.

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2025-07-23 12:09