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Disclaimer: This article contains the opinion of the writer. Readers' discretion is advised.
Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards is the latest superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his debut in Fantastic Four: First Steps is surely going to alter the MCU in more ways than one. Although Richards has made appearances throughout the MCU in different projects and timelines before, Pascal's Richards seems like he's being set up by Marvel to lead something greater than just the Fantastic Four.
Ever since Iron Man died, the MCU has never been the same. Although Tony Stark was not exactly a leader of the team, he was someone who led their operations as the genius helped set up strategies and technologies to face adversaries. Even in Avengers: Endgame, we get to see how incomplete the whole team of the Avengers is without Stark's technology and strategies. Needless to say, his absence has created quite a void within the MCU, but recent developments may suggest that Marvel is gearing up towards making Reed Richards a close second to the kind of leadership Stark had over the team. Which means Mr Fantastic is set to lead greater things than just the Fantastic Four.
In the trailers, we get to see how Reed's scientific experiments lead to certain chaos, but the man exhibits accountability as he assures the public that they will be protected. A close parallel to this is when havoc is created because of Stark's Ultron, and he takes responsibility for it as he attempts to fix things.
Reed Richards might be the central figure up against Doctor Doom
In the comics, Reed Richards is Doctor Doom's primary adversary. The character makes his first appearance in a Fantastic Four comic book and later makes his way to different worlds. Pedro Pascal has already been tapped to feature in Avengers: Doomsday, and among all the heroes alive and active as of now, Richards seems to be the one most likely to be chosen as the leader of whatever movement there is against Doom.
Both are inventors and futurists who have shaped their worlds with groundbreaking technology—Reed through interdimensional science and Tony through advanced AI and armor. They lead iconic teams, the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, and are often the ones making tough, controversial decisions. Despite their shared intellect, they struggle with emotional connections—Reed with Sue Storm, Tony with just about everyone.
With Tony gone after Avengers: Endgame, there’s a gap in the team dynamic—someone who brings scientific solutions, builds groundbreaking tech, and often takes the lead in high-stakes situations. Reed, being one of the smartest characters in Marvel lore, naturally fits that space. He also offers a different kind of intelligence—more focused on multidimensional theory and cosmic science—allowing the MCU to expand into more complex and fantastical storylines.
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As the Fantastic Four are introduced, Reed could become a central figure in future Avengers-level threats, offering the leadership, brains, and moral ambiguity that Tony once did—just with a quieter, more calculated approach.
Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.
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