In a summer box office landscape dominated by reboots and sequels, A24’s Eddington—a satirical neo-Western directed by Ari Aster and featuring a high-profile ensemble including Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler—has stumbled out of the gate.
The film, set against the backdrop of the 2020 lockdowns and exploring themes of small-town power struggles, earned just $625,000 in Thursday previews on July 17, 2025, far below expectations for a project with such notable talent. This underwhelming performance comes amid projections of a mere $5 million opening weekend against a reported $35 million budget, signaling a potential financial disaster for the indie distributor.
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards in Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Pedro Pascal, who plays the character Ted Garcia—a fictional mayor in a campaign-style ad released for the film—has been positioned as a key draw in promotional materials. This raises questions about Pascal’s drawing power as a Hollywood actor and whether his involvement significantly boosted ticket sales at all.
Critics have noted Pascal’s recent ubiquity in Hollywood, appearing in multiple projects within a short span, including Materialists, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and now Eddington. This saturation has sparked discussions on whether Pascal’s appeal is waning outside of established franchises like The Mandalorian or The Last of Us, where intellectual property often drives success rather than individual star power.
Mixed Critical Reception and Eddington Box Office Context
Eddington debuted to polarizing reviews following its Cannes premiere in May 2025, currently holding a 60% score on Rotten Tomatoes—the lowest for any Ari Aster film to date. While some praised its provocative take on lockdown-era divisions, others criticized it as “dishonest at its heart” and overly reliant on escalating absurdities. In comparison, the competing horror release I Know What You Did Last Summer pulled in $2.2 million in the same preview window, highlighting Eddington’s relative underperformance.
Pedro Pascal at the Cannes Film Festival – Photo Credit: Gabriel Hutchinson Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Pascal’s track record in non-franchise films has been inconsistent. Discussions on platforms like Reddit point out that while he has gained fame through TV hits and blockbusters, his standalone projects often fail to generate significant box office buzz.
Eddington marks another instance where Pascal’s name alone may not be sufficient to drive audiences, especially in a niche genre film.
Emerging Controversies Surrounding Pascal
Recent months have seen Pascal embroiled in several public incidents that have drawn criticism. During a San Diego Comic-Con panel for The Fantastic Four in 2024, a clip went viral showing Pascal touching co-star Vanessa Kirby’s arm before she redirected it to a handhold.
A screenshot of Pedro Pascal dancing suggestively with a rainbow colored rod suggestively at an event – X, @pascalarchive
Online commentators accused him of being overly tactile, with some labeling it “creepy” and questioning if it was a coping mechanism for anxiety or something more inappropriate. Kirby later defended the interaction, but the discourse persisted, with detractors pointing to a pattern of physical contact with female co-stars.
In interviews for Materialists, Pascal’s co-star Dakota Johnson revealed that he frequently “steals” and wears her clothes because he arrives underdressed, a habit she described as recurring. Additionally, Pascal also apparently suggested Johnson start an adult subscription page account to “wiggle a toe” for money. Though the story was shared by Johnson as a supposedly humorous anecdote, it sparked backlash for its perceived insensitivity.
Pedro Pascal on SNL – YouTube, Saturday Night Live
These stories have fueled accusations of boundary issues, with some online users compiling instances of Pascal’s “touchy” behavior in interviews.
Actor Pedro Pascal continues to promote gender ideology and the ab*se of children instead of the new Marvel movie he’s in.
Liberal Hollywood’s deranged obsession with preying on children is just getting worse.
It needs to stop.pic.twitter.com/ux6nGaJZ3Q
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) July 10, 2025
Pascal has also faced scrutiny for his political stances, including vocal support for gender politics and criticism of figures like J.K. Rowling, recently calling the Harry Potter author a “heinous loser” and a bully. At a recent Marvel event in Berlin, his comments on “gender justice” drew ire from fans who felt he should focus on promoting the film instead.
Signs of “Pedro Fatigue” in Public Sentiment
Social media reflects growing exhaustion with Pascal’s omnipresence. Posts on X frequently express “Pedro Pascal fatigue,” citing his roles in Gladiator II, The Last of Us, The Wild Robot, and upcoming films as overwhelming.
🤔 None of the stars interest me 😞Despite a promising premise!
I’m tired of Pedro Pascal, so overexposed!
Dakota Johnson -Fifty Shades & Black Mass were solid. Otherwise meh 🤷♂️
Chris Evans is hot. But outside of F4 & Captain American, he has flopped
All Marvel actors 🥱 https://t.co/QAUEqQ7Pj6
— Fantastic Beasts ▕⃝⃤ (@_Potter_Head_7_) June 9, 2025
Users argue he’s “overexposed,” with one stating, “I’m so tired of seeing Pedro Pascal in everything!” This sentiment echoes broader critiques of Hollywood’s reliance on a narrow pool of actors, potentially diluting their appeal.
Potential Ripple Effects for Disney’s Slate
Disney has invested heavily in Pascal, casting him as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with appearances planned in Avengers films. He also plays the title role in The Mandalorian & Grogu, which will be the first theatrically released Star Wars film since 2019.
It’s safe to say that Disney has billions in box office revenue resting on Pedro Pascal’s shoulders.
A screenshot of Pedro Pascal dancing around suggestively with a rainbow colored rod – X, @pascalarchive
Eddington’s flop could amplify concerns about his standalone draw, especially if audience fatigue persists. Fan backlash to his off-topic comments and casting choices—some calling him “miscast” or lacking “heroic qualities”—has already surfaced, with reports of frustration over perceived “woke” directions in promotions. With billions at stake in Marvel’s Phase 6, any dip in Pascal’s popularity could pose risks, though franchise loyalty might mitigate short-term impacts.
How do you feel about Pedro Pascal as a box office draw? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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