In a remarkable year for Pedro Pascal, he concluded the previous fall with a notable performance in Gladiator II, directed by the legendary Ridley Scott. Since then, Pascal has remained in the limelight, captivating audiences with his role in the second season of HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Last of Us. Furthermore, he is generating significant anticipation for his portrayal of Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic, in the upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Additionally, he continues to build excitement for his role in Avengers: Doomsday, further solidifying his presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Beyond these blockbuster projects, Pascal also starred in the romantic dramedy The Materialists and can be seen in Ari Aster’s pandemic-themed film Eddington.

All three films—The Materialists, Eddington, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps—are set to premiere within a tight six-week window. IndieWire highlights Pascal’s conversation with the Associated Press, where he reflects on this incredible surge of projects. He expressed his enjoyment of this period in his career, stating,

“It is the best time of my life. Just, I don’t know… look around, and it’s an incredible reflection of… what I’m experiencing right now. I’m having a really amazing time.”

Having previously played a villain in a Wonder Woman film, Pascal acknowledges the significance of stepping into the role of the patriarch in the Fantastic Four. He articulated his awareness of the expectations that accompany such a beloved franchise, stating, “I think that sometimes the outside will find you, no matter how much you try to protect yourself from it. It just comes with the territory. I think maybe my nerves were bigger than they usually are, and so I think I just was a little bit more sensitive to the love that people have for stories like this, because I know that they wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the love that people have for these characters.”

Additionally, Pascal is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Star Wars universe in the upcoming series The Mandalorian and Grogu. He recognizes the responsibility he carries in delivering a performance that meets the high expectations of fans within these iconic franchises. As he put it, “I think that it’s just very important for me that expectations be fulfilled… but I also know that the only way to do that is to give it all my focus and all my heart and my body and my soul and… that was the best I could do.”