A major update has arrived for one of Marvel’s most in-demand stars.
At the close of July, Marvel Studios officially set Phase Six into motion with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). Helmed by Matt Shakman, the film brings Marvel’s First Family into the MCU, starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The debut carried high expectations for a fresh chapter in Marvel’s storytelling.
Audiences initially responded in force. Opening weekend totals reached about $118 million domestically, with a worldwide take of roughly $218 million. That launch marked Marvel’s first $100 million-plus U.S. debut of the year, underscoring the brand’s ability to turn new entries into event releases.
By its second weekend, however, the story shifted. Ticket sales dropped by 66% in the U.S., with receipts just shy of $40 million. According to Box Office Mojo, the global total now stands at $385.1 million. The steep fall-off illustrates a persistent challenge for Marvel—maintaining momentum beyond the early rush. Whether the numbers point to superhero fatigue or simply reflect the current blockbuster climate remains an open question.
Marvel Update: Pedro Pascal Wraps Work on Avengers: Doomsday
In a report from Deadline—also noting his potential attachment to Behemoth!, a new project from Andor creator Tony Gilroy—Pascal has wrapped filming on Avengers: Doomsday.
“Fantastic Four kicked off the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Pascal recently wrapped production on the next Avengers movie, Avengers: Doomsday, which will premiere in 2026,” Deadline wrote. “Also in 2026, Pedro will reprise his role as Din Djarin in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
Filming on Avengers: Doomsday began in April 2025, making it unsurprising that some cast members have already completed their work. Even so, Pascal’s early exit from the production stands out, especially given speculation that Reed Richards might take center stage in the Avengers lineup.
For now, the team’s composition in the MCU’s Sacred Timeline is unclear. Earlier in 2025, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* introduced alliances that could position multiple factions to claim the Avengers name in the coming films.
Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios’ president, has already revealed that the Avengers teams featured in Doomsday and Secret Wars (2027) may be short-lived. A franchise reset is on the horizon—one that seems likely to be connected to Franklin Richards’ introduction in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and the high-stakes events of Secret Wars. Once the dust settles, the X-Men are expected to take the spotlight in Marvel’s next saga.
As Deadline also pointed out, Pascal’s Disney slate remains packed. The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) will bring Star Wars back to theaters for the first time since 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by Jon Favreau, the feature is set to act as a continuation of the Disney+ series rather than a fourth season.
Pascal’s presence across Hollywood has been constant in recent years. From prestige TV like The Last of Us to high-profile films including The Fantastic Four, Eddington, and The Materialists, the Game of Thrones veteran has become a fixture on both big and small screens.
When Avengers: Doomsday arrives, it will bring with it Robert Downey Jr.’s return—this time as Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom—alongside a roster of characters drawn from across Marvel Studios’ catalog, including those from the former 20th Century Studios properties.
More on The Fantastic Four: First Steps
“Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet,” the official synopsis states.
The supporting cast includes Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man, Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman, Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus.
What do you make of the latest Avengers: Doomsday update? Share your take with us in the comments.
