In a recent interview, The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman has sparked major buzz among Marvel fans by suggesting that Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) will be taking charge as leader of the Avengers.
This falls in line with a recent video by industry scooper WDWPro which stated that Pascal would lead the Avengers in Doomsday, but the role would ultimately pass to Chris Pratt as Star Lord in subsequent films.
This revelation comes amid ongoing hype about the family dynamics within the Fantastic Four itself, where Sue Storm (played by Vanessa Kirby) appears to have been positioned as the team’s leader. Additionally, Shakman’s comments appear to dash hopes (or fears…) that Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, will step up as the Avengers’ head, shifting the MCU’s narrative focus in unexpected ways.
Shakman’s Interview: Pedro Pascal as Avengers Leader
Speaking to Variety, Shakman delved into the character arc of Reed Richards, emphasizing his evolution from a reclusive scientist to a protective family man—and ultimately, a key figure in the broader MCU.
“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 stated. This direct quote has ignited speculation, especially with Avengers: Doomsday slated for 2026, where the Fantastic Four are described as “linchpin characters” alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom.
A screenshot of Pedro Pascal dancing suggestively with a rainbow colored rod suggestively at an event – X, @pascalarchive
Shakman’s vision for the film prioritizes family over superheroics, noting, “They are parents first. They are scientists and explorers second. And they’re superheroes only when they have to be.”
He pitched the story around Reed and Sue as established superheroes navigating parenthood, which influences the entire team, including Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). While this demonstrates Reed’s personal growth, his mentioned role in leading the Avengers suggests a more prominent MCU integration, potentially setting up crossovers in upcoming phases.
Hype Around Sue Storm as Fantastic Four Leader
Despite Reed’s apparent prominence in the Avengers, the Fantastic Four’s internal leadership has been hyped differently.
Producers and insiders have consistently positioned Sue Storm as the team’s true leader, a shift that aligns with recent comic book updates where Sue has officially been made the leader of the team. In the latest comic run, Sue takes command, replacing Reed and declaring “I lead this team.”
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
This recent development in the comics mirrors the MCU’s recent approach, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps producer Grant Curtis confirming, “If you do go back through the comics, you realize that Sue Storm is arguably the leader of the Fantastic Four, because without Sue Storm, everything falls apart.”
So does this mean Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards might be the leader of the Avengers when he’s not even the leader of the Fantastic Four?
Implications for Sam Wilson: No Leadership Role in the Avengers for Captain America?
Shakman’s comments also raise questions about Sam Wilson’s future in the MCU. Following Captain America: Brave New World, many expected Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson—now fully recognized in the MCU as Captain America—to assemble and lead a new Avengers team, building on setups from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and recent films.
Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in Marvel Studios‘ CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo by Eli Adé. © 2024 MARVEL.
Earlier rumors suggested Sam recruiting heroes like Shang-Chi, Shuri’s Black Panther, and others for Avengers: Doomsday.
However, Shakman’s explicit mention of Reed Richards as “the guy who’s leading the Avengers” may confirm a pivot away from Sam. This doesn’t necessarily sideline Sam entirely—he could still play a key part in the ensemble—but it shifts the leadership mantle to the Fantastic Four’s patriarch, aligning with Marvel’s strategy to integrate the new heroes into the multiverse saga.
Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
Of course this shift could be due to the box office performance of Captain America: Brave New World, which flopped at the box office in epic fashion, earning only $415 million on a budget that exploded due to a series of costly reshoots. Reports on the budget range from $180 million to $300 million.
Broader MCU Context and Fan Reactions
This leadership shuffle reflects Marvel’s evolving approach post-Endgame, where traditional hierarchies are being redefined.
The cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps releasing later this month and feeding directly into Avengers: Doomsday, fans are debating how these dynamics will play out.
How do you feel about Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards potentially being leader of the Avengers? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Pedro Pascal, the light skinned, female submissive, token Latino male, Hollywood loves.
So the Pascal fatigue will continue, I suppose.
*Gayvengers
[…] failure to properly introduce and develop Doom even more egregious. But there’s more to this; as That Park Place correctly points out, WDW Pro talked about this a month […]
Leader of The Avengers who is not leader of his 4 members team ???? Is this a joke or medicated chimpanzees works in Disney ??