Pedro Pascal is once again making headlines for his affectionate behavior toward another Hollywood celebrity. This time, the Fantastic Four star has publicly invited Kieran Culkin to cuddle, continuing a pattern of unusual celebrity interactions that have become a defining feature of his public persona.
The comments arrive as Pascal prepares to reprise his role as Reed Richards in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 18. However, while Hollywood continues celebrating Pascal as one of its biggest stars, his recent box office record paints a considerably less flattering picture.
Pedro Pascal Wants to Cuddle Kieran Culkin
During an October 23 appearance on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, Pascal was asked about his friendship and playful awards-season rivalry with Succession star Kieran Culkin.
His message was simple: “Come here, Kieran. Let’s cuddle.”
Pedro Pascal on his one message to Kieran Culkin:
“Come here, Kieran. Let’s cuddle.”
https://t.co/IOg7yaZzo9 https://t.co/O64kBRRCbU
— Variety (@Variety) October 23, 2026
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Variety quickly highlighted the exchange on social media, generating another round of publicity centered on Pascal’s affectionate interactions with fellow celebrities.
The exchange was not entirely unexpected. Pascal and Culkin have maintained a friendly public rivalry since the 2024 awards season, frequently exchanging jokes at major Hollywood events.
Nevertheless, the latest comments fit a much broader pattern.
Earlier this year, while promoting Disney’s The Mandalorian & Grogu, Pascal kissed late-night host Stephen Colbert on the mouth during an appearance on The Late Show.
The moment followed Pascal jokingly expressing jealousy over Colbert having previously kissed Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Pedro Pascal and Stephen Colbert lean toward each other to kiss – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Pascal has also attracted attention for his affectionate friendship with Oscar Isaac, his close relationship with The Last of Us co-star Bella Ramsey, and his frequent hand-holding with Fantastic Four co-star Vanessa Kirby during promotional appearances.
While these interactions have generally been presented as friendly and consensual, their repeated celebration by entertainment outlets raises questions about Hollywood’s fascination with Pascal’s public behavior.
Hollywood’s Obsession With Their Definition of “Positive Masculinity”
Pascal’s celebrity persona also reflects a broader shift in how Hollywood presents masculinity.
Entertainment coverage increasingly celebrates male celebrities who publicly demonstrate vulnerability, emotional sensitivity, and physical affection.
Pedro Pascal hugging co-star Bella Ramsay – X, @painfulships
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The suggestion that such displays represent a particularly enlightened form of masculinity overlooks other important masculine virtues. Strength, courage, responsibility, integrity, and the willingness to protect one’s family are not incompatible with emotional openness.
Ironically, Pascal himself has portrayed characters who embody many of those qualities.
Din Djarin in The Mandalorian is defined by his willingness to sacrifice everything to protect Grogu. Joel Miller in The Last of Us is a morally complicated character driven by his determination to protect someone he considers family.
Those characters resonate because of their actions, not because of the public personality of the actor portraying them.
Pedro Pascal’s Box Office Record Raises Questions
While Hollywood celebrates Pascal’s latest celebrity interactions, several of his recent theatrical projects have struggled commercially.
Marvel Studios‘ The Fantastic Four: First Steps earned approximately $522 million worldwide against a reported $230 million production budget. Despite substantial ticket sales, the film fell short of the blockbuster performance Marvel had hoped to achieve.
A screenshot of Pedro Pascal dancing around suggestively with a rainbow colored rod – X, @pascalarchive
Disney’s The Mandalorian & Grogu similarly disappointed, earning approximately $346 million worldwide against a reported $165 million production budget.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro subsequently acknowledged that the film had failed to meet expectations.
Meanwhile, Ari Aster’s Eddington, featuring Pascal alongside Joaquin Phoenix, generated approximately $13 million worldwide against a reported $25 million production budget.
The contrast between Pascal’s celebrity status and the inconsistent box office performance of his recent blockbuster projects is difficult to ignore.
Avengers: Doomsday Will Test Pascal’s Star Power
With Avengers: Doomsday approaching, Pascal is returning to a Marvel franchise that has already struggled to translate his popularity into the kind of box office results Disney expects.
The upcoming film will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom alongside an enormous ensemble of established Marvel characters, making it difficult to determine how much individual drawing power Pascal contributes.
Hollywood’s seemingly endless fascination with his hugging, kissing, and cuddling raises questions about whether celebrity personality has become more important to entertainment coverage than actual commercial results.
Pedro Pascal on SNL – YouTube, Saturday Night Live
Pascal may be one of Hollywood’s favorite personalities, but popularity among entertainment journalists does not automatically translate into ticket sales.
As Avengers: Doomsday approaches, audiences will ultimately decide whether the films featuring him are worth the price of admission.
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