Everyone seems to be a Pedro Pascal fan these days — and honestly, who can blame them?
But even with his rising fame and Marvel debut on the horizon, no one expected this legendary Marvel icon to be his biggest cheerleader: Robert Downey Jr.
The two are teaming up in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday”, but it turns out the real magic is happening behind the scenes. In a new Vanity Fair cover story, both actors opened up about their unexpected bond on set, including Downey hosting “homework days” at his home for the cast.
Pressed on what goes down at those sessions, Pascal just smiled: “Very good question.”
Downey Steps Into Villain Mode as Pascal Joins the Marvel Universe
Downey, known for his long-running role as Iron Man, will take a villainous turn as Doctor Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday”, set for release in December 2026.
Pascal, meanwhile, steps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Reed Richards — making his official debut in Fantastic Four: First Steps this July before joining the larger Avengers ensemble.
“He Wants You to Win”: Pascal on Downey’s Quiet Mentorship
Downey didn’t just share scenes — he shared support. Pascal praised his co-star’s generosity on set, saying:
“He’s just so immediately generous and inviting that you feel like you can be afraid, you can be hungry, you can be ambivalent.”
Downey, in turn, admired Pascal’s grounded rise to stardom: “Pascal’s slow trajectory to becoming a household name who is on a wildly hot streak kind of reaffirms my faith in our industry.”
After Facing Fan Backlash, Pascal Found Support in Downey
Despite his popularity, Pascal admitted his casting as Reed Richards stirred up controversy among fans.
“I’m more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I’ve ever done,” he told Vanity Fair. “‘He’s too old. He’s not right. He needs to shave.’” The criticism didn’t shake him, thanks in part to Downey’s presence.
Vanessa Kirby on Pascal: “He Shows Himself to You”
Pascal’s Fantastic Four co-star Vanessa Kirby echoed the sentiment, praising his vulnerability and openness:
“He doesn’t have much armor, so he shows himself to you straight away, and you trust that person because he’s revealing himself to you in this very brave way.”
A New Marvel Era Begins
Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain tightly under wraps, but with Downey stepping into a villain role and Pascal facing the Marvel spotlight head-on, fans are in for a bold new chapter. And if their offscreen dynamic is any hint, this Avengers lineup could pack just as much heart as action.
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Pedro Pascal Has a New Superfan — And He’s a Marvel Legend