The debate over Pedro Pascal’s role as Reed Richards in the MCU has heated up following comments made by director Matt Shakman about his casting. Shakman’s initial remarks hinted that Pascal’s Richards might eventually lead the Avengers, sparking much speculation and excitement among fans. However, after some backlash and confusion, Shakman took to IGN to clarify his comments. 
According to him, his statement about Reed Richards evolving into the leader of the Avengers was misinterpreted, and that aspect of his character’s future is ultimately in the hands of the Russo brothers, who are directing Avengers: Doomsday.
To recap, Shakman previously explained his decision to cast Pascal in the role by highlighting the complexity of Richards as a character: “He goes from being the nerdy scientist who’s locked away in the lab, to the husband and the father who’d do anything to protect his family, to the guy who’s leading the Avengers,” Shakman had said. These remarks seemed to suggest that Pascal’s Richards would eventually take on a leadership role in the MCU, leading fans to wonder how soon that would happen.
In his clarification, Shakman stressed that his comments about Reed Richards being a leader were intended to reflect his various comic book iterations-sometimes a brilliant scientist, sometimes an Avenger, and at other times, a devoted family man. Shakman was quick to note that the direction of Richards in Avengers: Doomsday is something the Russo brothers will reveal in time. He emphasized that Pascal was chosen for his ability to embody all aspects of the character, including leadership, intellect, and family loyalty. “For me, it was talking about how I went about finding the best actor for that part,” Shakman added.
While Shakman’s clarification seems to walk back the idea of Reed Richards as an immediate Avengers leader, the door is still open for that possibility in the future. Although Richards has been part of the Avengers in the comics, he is not typically portrayed as their leader. However, Shakman’s casting choice for Pascal suggests that the actor could eventually step into that role if needed, even if it’s not happening right away. As for Avengers: Doomsday, Shakman made it clear that the Russo brothers are the ones who will decide where Richards fits into the story.
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, and Avengers: Doomsday scheduled for December 18, 2026, fans will have to wait a bit longer to see how Pascal’s version of Reed Richards evolves and whether he will indeed lead the Avengers in the future.