Matt Damon totally just blew my mind by dropping some unexpected BTS trivia about Pedro Pascal. It’s hard to imagine a time when Pascal wasn’t “even a day player” since practically everyone knows who he is thanks to playing The Mandalorian, Mister Fantastic, and Joel in The Last of Us. But there was a time when the actor spent years doing random parts before hitting celebrity status.

That time apparently included a part in The Adjustment Bureau, starring Damon and Emily Blunt. And despite the small part, Damon knew Pascal was a freaking star years before the rest of the world caught on. Somehow I’m not surprised that Damon was impressed. He revealed the story when he stopped by The Howard Stern Show:

Damon’s not the only one who thinks that he's "really good.” I think we can all agree that there’s a reason Pascal has become so beloved. And it’s not just because of baby Yoda. He’s so good as the Mandalorian that people want to know just how long he’s going to play the part.

It's always fun to see stories like this to remind us that celebrities all started somewhere. And for Damon to share this story about Pascal, it adds further proof as to why the latter is always working. He even has a romance with Danny Ramirez coming out soon. But I think Damon describes Pascal's star power best:

Maybe that's the best way to describe why so many love Pedro Pascal. His roles as Joel, the Mandalorian, and Mister Fantastic have all felt real. It doesn't matter if he's in a post apocalyptic world or in space, he gives a performance that's believable. And fans have become protective over his roles, specifically Last of Us fans who couldn't imagine anyone else in that part. Additionally, there's his memorable roles in Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman 1984 and more

Damon's story reminds me of the time I learned Pascal was in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was a small part that included his character being killed and becoming a vampire, but it was a role that helped keep him in Hollywood. I guess we have Buffy to thank for all of the amazing Pascal roles we’ve seen the last few years.

The actor has become synonymous with certain roles thanks to fandoms, but there are several TV roles that you may have forgotten. For instance, I recently re-watched the Burn Notice TV movie and was shocked to see Pascal in one of the antagonist roles. He was even in an unaired Wonder Woman pilot. And now Damon has me wanting to go see what other Pascal roles I can dig up.

I’ve always been aware of Saturday Night Live’s cut-for-time sketches, and I know that working on the show is not easy at all. However, I’ve never realized how both those elements can play into the final sketch of a given episode. That all changed, though, as Sarah Sherman recalled how one now-iconic sketch had to change as it was being performed to make sure the show ended on time.

As its title states, Saturday Night Live is done live, and that means anything can happen. That also means if anything happens and the plan gets changed during the episode, everything will probably be impacted. For example, if one sketch runs long, another could be cut for time. Therefore, having your sketch in the final slot of a given episode means you have to be ready to make changes within seconds' notice, as Sarah Sherman explained during The Rundown:

Of course, the sketch Sherman is referring to became one of the iconic moments from Season 48. It aired during Pedro Pascal’s episode, which you can stream with a Peacock subscription, and it was indeed the final sketch of the night.

However, up until now, I never suspected that changes were being made as the sketch was literally being performed. Talk about consummate professionals (even though Pascal famously broke throughout the sketch)!

Now, I’d love to see what the full version of the first "Lisa from Temecula" looked like. However, I also think what aired is a masterpiece, and I think its 9.5 million views on YouTube confirm that fans also got a real kick out of Ego Nwodim's hilarious character:

Overall, this is just another example of how talented the Saturday Night Live casts are. Not only do they write and produce their own work with the show’s team of writers, but they are also ready to update and change things with little to no notice, and they do it seamlessly.

While it’s clear when you hear them talk about this that these situations are stressful, it typically isn’t apparent on-air as they’re performing. “Lisa from Temecula” proves that, because even though lines were being cut as the cast was reading the cue cards on air, they still performed at the highest level. And the sketch went on to be such a hit that it was brought back two more times during Seasons 48 and 49.

So, now, when Saturday Night Live returns on the 2026 TV schedule, I’ll be sure to pay closer attention to the final sketch of the night and really give those performers and writers some extra credit. That’s not an easy slot to be in, and it’s very possible that they’re making changes as the show airs, and that’s a feat worth acknowledging.

For my entire life (and probably yours too), Star Wars movies have been the kind of films I just have to go see in theaters. But, since all of the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows in the past seven years have been available to watch at home with a Disney+ subscription, I think it’s changed things for us collectively. My excitement about The Mandalorian and Grogu has been middling, if I’m being honest. Even so, there was something in me that just didn’t feel right about skipping out on my lifelong tradition of seeing the newest Star Wars movie in theaters.

I’m so happy I did, and one big reason why is that it was a different kind of experience than we’ve been used to in Star Wars movies.

Big Twists Have Become The Norm In Star Wars Movies

Now that I think about it, because The Empire Strikes Back gave audiences one of the best twists in movie history, I think every filmmaker who’s made a Star Wars movie has been trying to recapture the feeling of watching it by having big reveals in subsequent movies. But with that, we’ve kind of found ourselves in a plot loop over the years – Kylo Ren killing his father Han Solo, Rey being a Palpatine, and so forth.

Understandably so, going into the first Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker, I thought maybe The Mandalorian and Grogu was hiding some massive twist that I wanted to experience for myself before the internet did for me. However, as critic reactions have already suggested, “This isn’t a galaxy-shaking epic”.

You may be bummed to learn this, but having seen the movie, I have to say, I appreciated watching a Star Wars movie that didn’t feel like it needed to have a moment where it needed to shock me with some family-related big reveal. It was refreshing, even.

I Enjoyed The Mandalorian And Grogu For The Low Stakes Movie It Is

The Mandalorian and Grogu is one of the more accessible Star Wars releases we’ve had in a while. You don’t have to have seen The Mandalorian TV show, or anything else before, to really appreciate it, and if you don’t see it, you’re not missing any franchise-shattering reveals. Sure, that might give some Star Wars fans permission to skip out on it, and that's totally OK! I think if you do, though, you might be missing out on something that makes it special.

While watching it, I just had fun. The cool stylized action and the Star Wars aesthetics definitely have precedence over the character development, but it definitely gives Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) more to do than ever, and it was worth the price of admission for me to see the cutest darn thing Star Wars has ever thought up have a feature-length adventure alongside the cowboy-inspired Mandalorian. It's got some gorgeous set design, fun moments and feels like a true escape for its runtime.

It’s not a perfect movie for sure, and I totally get why it's divided critics, but from my perspective, I can say I saw this movie a week ago and have thought back on it multiple times with warm and cozy thoughts about the good memories I made watching it. And, I honestly wouldn’t blink at seeing it again if given the chance. It feels like it will become my Star Wars comfort movie as well.

I also like that it feels nostalgic in a sense of it being a movie I would have loved and watched over and over when I was a kid, and less so in a way of trying to recycle a Star Wars movie I’ve already seen before, with beats it feels like it needs to hit.

I totally recommend The Mandalorian and Grogu if my thoughts get you excited for it, and it's in theaters now!

It’s been quite a while since we’ve gotten to see the adventures of a galaxy far, far away in theaters, but that’s about to change with The Mandalorian and Grogu set for release on the 2026 movie calendar on May 22. I’d think there’s no better pair to lead Star Wars back to the big screen than Pedro Pascal and “Baby Yoda,” and that’s why I was so shocked at the divided first reactions. Now the reviews are in, and while some critics had a blast, others are questioning if this even counts as a Star Wars movie.

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie comes after three seasons of The Mandalorian (streaming with a Disney+ subscription) and finds Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice Grogu on a mission to rescue Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt. Our own Nick Venable rates the movie 4 out of 5 stars after a fun outing, writing.

Linda Marric of Hey U Guys also gives it 4 out of 5 stars, saying the movie feels nostalgic without getting trapped in the past. It has some issues, she writes, but it’s too much fun to dwell on any of them for too long. In Marric’s words:

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY rates the movie 3 out of 4 stars, saying that the upcoming Star Wars flick embraces both its bizarre and adorable elements for an adventure that harkens back to some of the franchise’s best efforts. The Mandalorian and Grogu offers a new hope to a brand that seems to be readjusting, Truitt says, writing:

Jake Kleinman of Polygon questions what defines a Star Wars movie — lightsabers? Skywalkers? The Force? Kleinman says impressive set pieces, high stakes and a good vs. evil conflict are non-negotiables. The Mandalorian and Grogu, however, has none of these things, but the critic says the movie is a “damn good time” anyway. His review reads:

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo borrows a phrase from Yoda to say that The Mandalorian and Grogu chooses “do not” instead of “do” — it doesn’t even try. In trying to make a Star Wars film accessible to even non-Star Wars fans, Lussier says that Jon Favreau has neglected to do justice to those who have followed the franchise for so long. The critic calls this movie nothing more than a side quest, writing:

Tom Jorgensen of IGN echoes that sentiment, as he rates the film a “Mediocre” 5 out of 10. The critic agrees that rather than catering to existing Star Wars fans, The Mandalorian and Grogu feels laser-focused on people who have only heard about the show.

Critics seem to be divided over Jon Favreau’s latest contribution to the Star Wars universe with a 61% Rotten Tomatoes score. However, I think it’s safe to say that fans who have committed decades of their lives to the fandom will likely take a chance on the first big-screen project from the franchise in seven years.

How well it will do at the box office is a different question altogether. Catch The Mandalorian and Grogu in theaters starting Friday, May 22.

Pedro Pascal has been working in movies and TV since the '90s, but only in the past several years has he truly emerged as one of the biggest stars working in Hollywood. I mean, last year alone, he led three movies along with being on The Last of Us. So, I’ve been curious if he’s looking to step away from his role as the titular character in The Mandalorian franchise anytime soon. Well, on that note, Pascal just recently shared his thoughts on how much longer he might wear that beskar armor.

Pascal reprises his role as bounty hunter Din Djarin in The Mandalorian and Grogu. The upcoming Star Wars movie marks Lucasfilm's first big-screen entry in the franchise since 2019. At the same time, I also have to wonder if the movie signifies the beginning of Pedro Pascal saying goodbye to the role or if he simply sees this as a new chapter. When DiscussingFilm asked Pascal if he’d thought about whether he’s thought about how long he’ll be playing Djarin for. Here’s what he said in a clip shared to X:

While I’d never guess it myself, Pedro Pascal is 51 years old, so it made sense that when the question came up, he talked about how his body’s limitations could eventually impact him playing Mando. However, based on these comments, it certainly seems like the A-lister is here for the long haul and isn’t yet contemplating an end to his Star Wars tenure, which is exciting! Pascal's commitment to the role also speaks volumes, he's seemingly always busy working on another movie or TV show.

Pascal’s comments on playing the role are definitely encouraging to me as a fan, considering I've loved The Mandalorian since it premiered back in 2019. Considering the actor has done three seasons and this movie at this point, a part of me would've thought conversations would now be had about Pascal moving on from Star Wars. Of course, this franchise does have a knack for retaining actors in one way or another. For instance, Mark Hamill cameoed on both Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett within the last few years with help from digital techniques.)

As Pedro Pascal also pointed out, though, Din Djarin's fate will also have to do with whether audiences continue to embrace his character as well as his own interest. The Mandalorian and Grogu had its premiere earlier this week, and the first reactions were divided on it. While some called it “a ton of fun,” “thrilling” and the “ultimate team up” between the titular characters, others called it “action figures mashed together” and “totally inessential.”

We’ll have to see how The Mandalorian and Grogu does at the box office after it hits theaters on May 25 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. I’d also be curious to see if the film inspires another big-screen adventure or if the creatives decide to make Season 4 as was originally intended before the film was made. Regardless, here's hoping Pascal gets to don that costume and chop it up with the artist formerly known as Baby Yoda for as long as he'd like.

It feels like a Jedi mind trick to think about it, but The Mandalorian was actually one of the first new TV shows you could watch with a Disney+ subscription when the platform was launched in 2019. Since then, we’ve seen all sorts of other original shows from a galaxy far, far away, with more being announced all the time. So, why is The Mandalorian moving to the big screen for its next adventure?

Earlier this month, CinemaBlend and a handful of other press outlets had the chance to learn more about The Mandalorian & Grogu movie from director Jon Favreau on what’s left of the Los Angeles sets after seeing the first 18 minutes of the movie. Here’s what the filmmaker said when asked about why he decided to make the next installment of The Mandalorian into a movie rather than going with Season 4, which was well underway before the pivot was announced:

The Mandalorian & Grogu now serves as the first theatrical Star Wars movie since Rise of Skywalker back in 2019. Favreau communicated his interest in recapturing “the feeling” he had when he first saw Star Wars back in 1977. And, there are some things that the team on the TV show just couldn’t achieve at the pace of a TV show, that he was excited about exploring with an IMAX release. As he also shared:

Another inspiration? There’s now a whole new generation of kids who literally weren’t old enough to watch a Star Wars movie in theaters yet! The Mandalorian & Grogu will be their first experience, and Jon Favreau wants to make that special. He also said this:

The Mandalorian & Grogu production designer was also on hand at the Los Angeles sets that day to tell us that making a movie rather than a TV show allowed the team to move into “massive stages” they couldn’t before. Since the series moves at a faster pace, they wouldn’t have time to create the kind of sets they did on this feature, which he said sometimes took two to three months.

So, in short, Jon Favreau wanted to make a large-scale Star Wars movie with his established and beloved characters from The Mandalorian. And, can you blame him? We’re talking about the guy who literally helped start the MCU by helming Iron Man in 2008. We’re so curious how The Mandalorian & Grogu will stack up to the TV show and build on the universe when it comes out on May 22.

The Mandalorian & Grogu isn't only the first of upcoming Star Wars movies to hit the big screen in a while, it's also the first time we've seen characters based on one of the Disney+ TV shows be adapted for movie theaters. As such, there have understandably been some questions from fans. When CinemaBlend had the chance to see the opening of one of the most exciting of 2026 movie releases, presented by director Jon Favreau. And one thing we've been wondering about the movie more makes sense now. Let's get into it:

Fans Like Me Have Been Wondering How Din Got Another Razor Crest

If you're a viewer of The Mandalorian TV show, you might have noticed that Din's Razor Crest ship has mysteriously back in the marketing, including The Mandalorian & Grogu trailer. Oh, and there's even a LEGO set for it. But ever since that was revealed, fans have pointed out one thing about it. How is it around?

You know the one that exploded in Season 2? Well, when we had the chance to see the first 18 minutes of the movie as presented by director Jon Favreau, the question was answered. And it's kind of been set up already... just not directly.

How The Mandalorian & Grogu Explains How He Gets The New Ship

The Mandalorian & Grogu starts by taking the audience right inside the action of one of Din and Grogu's bounty missions which takes place around and inside the famous AT-ATs. It's a thrilling way to start the film, and is already full of so many moments that had me giggling and "oohhing" over Grogu (who's apparently going to "level up" in this one) in particular. Once they finish the messy mission, they meet with Sigourney Weaver's new character of Colonel Ward to settle up and get assigned for the next thing.

And, it's Colonel Ward who gives Din a new Razor Crest for a very specific reason. She needs him to go on a mission relating to the Hutt family (hence Jeremy Allen White's role of the muscular son of Jabba), and the ship is basically an advance to get him to agree to the very dangerous ask. Our first look at Mandalorian & Grogu ended with him jetting off with the Razor Crest, which is sort of the perfect setup for the movie to take place (and leave me wanting more!)

We'll get to see where exactly the Razor Crest takes Din and Grogu when the movie hits theaters on May 22!

The winners of the 2026 Oscars were given those iconic trophies over the weekend, and as usual, it made for a buffet of moments of rare celebrity interactions. One big one that the internet has been talking about is what happened when Michael B. Jordan won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his dual performance in Sinners. Let’s get into why that was and how it involves Pedro Pascal.

How Pedro Pascal Reacted To Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Win

So, when Jordan was named the 2026 Best Actor on Sunday, Pedro Pascal was in the row right behind him and next to Delroy Lindo and his wife, Nashormeh. The first thing fans are talking about is how Pedro Pascal freaked out when Michael B. Jordan’s name was called, and excitedly put his arm on his shoulder and shook him in the moment. Take a look:

We love a hype man, and Pedro Pascal was definitely one for Jordan when he had his big moment. I mean, it definitely feels like the only correct reaction to witnessing history! The telecast did catch Pascal shaking his shoulder, but it wasn’t clear who it was, so this video shows it from a better angle. Pascal seemingly had no skin in the game, since he wasn’t nominated for any of this year’s awards, though he did present the award for Best Editing with his The Mandalorian and Grogu co-star Sigourney Weaver.

The Other Reason Why Pedro Pascal Is Going Viral For The Same Moment

It’s a sweet moment, but then one eagle-eyed fan also noticed something else about it. Check it out on X:

If you look a bit closer, you can see that while Pascal was enthusiastically congratulating Jordan, Lindo’s wife was actually vigorously tapping him to move his hand so she could stand up like some of the other people in the audience. Delroy Lindo immediately got up to congratulate his co-star, along with writer/director Ryan Coogler coming up to him to give him a huge hug. Emma Stone and her husband, who were seated next to Jordan’s mom, also got up, but Nashormeh Lindo was sort of stuck in her seat.

It’s a funny little detail, but ultimately it seems like Pedro Pascal had zero intention of causing any issues with his seatmate and was just lost in the sauce over the actor’s big win. You can check out what happened in the telecast and watch Jordan’s acceptance speech below:

Michael B. Jordan’s Best Actor win was one of four Oscars Sinners won on Sunday night – the horror movie also won for Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. During the show, there was an awesome performance to celebrate the music of the film, and the movie was referenced all over the broadcast, including during Conan’s opening monologue. If you missed it, you can check out our Oscars blog, which recaps the whole show.

Two members of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, Pedro Pascal and Danny Ramirez, are getting to work together again in a very different context. They’ve been cast in De Noche, which is one of the upcoming LGBTQ+ movies that have been in development for a while from director Todd Haynes. The co-stars found a great way to wink at what’s coming next.

Pedro Pascal And Danny Ramirez Share A Selfie To Celebrate Movie Together

These two not only got to make Avengers: Doomsday together, they were also both in The Last Of Us cast together. Check out how the pair celebrated being co-stars in De Noche on Instagram:

Ramirez and Pascal shared a cute selfie together that has Ramirez smiling up front and Pascal winking behind him. We can’t wait to see love in the air for these two once De Noche comes out.

What Else We Know About De Noche

The selfie comes the same day that Variety broke the news that De Noche is finally officially happening after its long been in development. Back in 2024, it was on track to be made with Joaquin Phoenix as its star, but Phoenix made an abrupt exit just five days before the movie was set to begin filming in Guadalajara, Mexico, causing one of the film’s producers to later call the situation a “nightmare.”

It took a year and a half for De Noche to get back off the ground with MK2 Films and Killer Films producing the independent film that's expected to start filming next month. It’s been described as a noir in the vein of Chinatown where Pedro Pascal will play a detective who begins an unexpected love affair with a younger boarding school teacher. Pascal is 50, and Danny Ramirez is 33.

The movie comes from queer filmmaker Todd Haynes, who has made a series of famed films like Carol and Far From Heaven, with his latest being May December. Here’s what the filmmaker said about his latest project:

Pascal is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community who also has a trans sister, who praised his advocacy for her identity early on. Following Pedro Pascal’s huge 2025 of movies, it doesn’t sound like the actor is looking to slow down anytime soon between the actor recently wrapping Avengers: Doomsday and the Tony Gilroy movie Behemoth!, and having The Mandalorian and Grogu coming out this May. De Noche sounds like it will be another worthy addition to his resume.

The entertainment world lost a legend, as the shocking news of Catherine O’Hara’s death came Friday. The actress known for TV and movies including in Home Alone, Best in Show, Schitt’s Creek and so many others unquestionably affected countless people over her five-decade career. And former co-stars including Macaulay Culkin, Pedro Pascal and Michael McKean are paying tribute to the comedy icon.

One of Catherine O’Hara’s most beloved roles was as Kate McCallister in Home Alone — a Christmastime staple and one of the best movies of the ‘90s overall. I’m not even sure it’s possible to say the name, “Kevin!” without doing your best O’Hara impression. Macaulay Culkin — Kevin McCallister himself — took to Instagram with a photo from the movie and another from a more recent reunion between him and O’Hara, penning a heartbreaking message to his on-screen mother:

One of Catherine O’Hara’s last roles was on The Last of Us Season 2, and Pedro Pascal shared a sweet photo of the two of them on set, writing that there is “less light in my world” without her in it:

The actress was a regular in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries like A Mighty Wind and Best in Show, making Michael McKean a somewhat frequent co-star. The This Is Spinal Tap actor wrote on X upon hearing the news:

Tom Green also paid his respects to the comedic legend and fellow Canadian, writing on Instagram:

Catherine O’Hara’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star Justin Theroux also posted a photo in remembrance of her:

Ron Howard wrote that he worked with the late actress several times over the years and called her death “shattering”:

Michael Keaton wrote on Instagram that his friendship with Catherine O’Hara goes back even further than 1988’s Beetlejuice:

Not many details about Catherine O’Hara’s passing were immediately available, with a rep confirming to Rolling Stone only that she died at her home in Los Angeles “after a brief illness.”

It’s unclear how this will affect The Studio Season 2, as production kicked off just last week on what will be known as her final role. Ike Barinholtz — one of her co-stars on the award-winning comedy — posted a photo to Instagram to say how “incredibly grateful” he is to have known her:

It’s clear from the reactions we’ve seen already how beloved Catherine O’Hara was and how much of an impact she’s made in Hollywood. Our condolences go out to her family, friends and everyone affected by her death.

The Last of Us has generally been regarded as one of the best video game adaptations on screen so far, and while the HBO series hasn’t taken any significant diversions from its source material, though it has taken a few small ones, the story of Joel and Ellie (Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey) has been no less powerful, even if you know what’s about to happen.

A third season is on the way that promises to be something quite different, as it will be told largely, if not entirely, from the perspective of Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby. While fans will be excited to hear that Season 3 is getting closer to going into production, nobody seems quite as excited as Dever, who tells Deadline she’s looking forward to the expanded role. She revealed…

Season 2 of The Last of Us ended on a cliffhanger regarding the fate of Ellie at the hands of a very angry Abby, then the final episode ended with a flashback to several days earlier from Abby’s perspective. The video game version of The Last Of Us Part 2 put players in control of both Ellie and Abby and it appears the series will do the same, with Season 3 of the show following Abby’s storyline.

The perspective shift in the game allows players to see how a character that was initially portrayed as a villain is at best justified and at worst, understandable. Dever thinks fans of the series are going to really appreciate what’s to come, as it will likely do the same thing for show. She continued…

It’s certainly going to be interesting to see how fans of The Last of Us series respond to Season 3. When the second game shocked fans with the fate of Joel, and then the perspective shift to Abby, it has to be said that many were less than happy with what happened. While Abby has become more embraced by fans over time, it will be interesting to see how the series handles the transition.

The other big question fans will have with The Last of Us Season 3 is whether there will be a future for the show after it’s over. There is no The Last of Us Part Three video game to base a series on, and little indication that one is even in serious development. That doesn’t mean more show is impossible. And considering how popular the series has been, one imagines HBO would like more.

The biggest problem with television today is that there are only so many hours in the day. There’s a lot of really good TV out there to enjoy and even more TV that, while it might not change the world or my life personally, I’d still enjoy watching if I had the time. The problem is I frequently don’t.

My backlog of TV shows is almost as bad as my backlog of video games. The job that I have often means trying to keep up on the latest shows, which means if something gets missed, it can stay missed for a while. As such, I’m only just now sitting down to watch The Last of Us, and now I have a problem.

The Last Of Us Is Not A Show To Binge Watch

Part of the reason I intentionally held off on watching The Last of Us initially is the same reason I intentionally hold off on waiting for most shows. I hate weekly release schedules. I’ve written before about how I much prefer the streaming model that sees all episodes of a show drop at once. I might only watch a couple of hours of TV a night, and I don’t have six different shows that I try to keep up on at once. It’s much easier for me to watch a couple of hours of one show every night until it’s done.

This was how I expected to watch The Last of Us with my HBO Max subscription. Two seasons of the show are complete, with 16 total episodes. I figured I’d watch it over the course of a week and then move on to thenext thing. But I can’t.

Maybe Weekly Viewing Makes Sense After All?

For the first time that I can remember, a show I’m watching has me wishing I had watched it when it was new. Not to avoid spoilers, I already knew everything that happens from the games, but because I really could use a week break in between episodes. It’s such an emotionally harrowing show that I can’t watch one episode after another.

Some of the episodes, like the much lauded (justifiably) episode, "Long, Long Time" starring Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as a couple who find love during the apocalypse, are quite wonderful, and make you want to watch more. But others required a longer break.

I’m thinking of “Endure and Survive”, an episode that ends on such an emotionally draining note that I straight up didn’t watch the next episode for a couple of days. I just couldn’t handle it. I needed an emotional break from the show.

Last night I watched the end of Season 1, and despite knowing exactly how it would end, watching it happen was still powerful. Under other circumstances, I would have gone straight into the beginning of Season 2, but I just couldn’t, not that night.

Recently, I started watching Season 2 of The Pitt. I had binged the first season after it was done, but thought, as an experiment, I might try weekly viewing of the new season. While I thought the pseudo-real-time element of the show would make binge-watching a near necessity, I haven’t found that so far. It also strikes me that this is the sort of show that might also have moments so emotionally traumatic that I might need a week to recover. When Season 3 of The Last of Us comes out, I know exactly how I plan to watch it.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe keeps fans on their toes by constantly releasing new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is probably Avengers: Doomsday, which looks like an epic crossover event with multiple teams of heroes. And Alan Cumming can't stop, won't stop teasing his scenes with Pedro Pascal.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is super limited, and fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are eager for any information about what's coming. Alan Cumming teased a fight scene with Pascal's Reed Richards, and during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he claimed to have injured his co-star. As he put it:

Put "I broke Pedro" on a T-shirt at this point. While it's unclear if Alan Cumming is actually responsible or if he's just being cheeky about the Mandalorian star's injury. Either way, the Emmy-winning host of The Traitors is once again teasing Nighcrawler's scenes with Reed Richards. Give us more information, you cowards!

The Doomsday cast announcement confirmed a huge ensemble cast of heroes, including the OG stars of the X-Men movies. Fans are eager to see how mutants enter the fray, and which MCU heroes they get to interact with throughout the movie's mysterious runtime. In the same interview, Kimmel asked if the two actor were fighting when Pascal's injury ocurred, with Alan Cumming responding cryptically by saying:

I'm not sure I believe him. After all, he already let slip that he got into a fight sequence with Pedro Pascal. But maybe Cumming is trying to stay out of trouble with the studio, and guard the movie's secrets. After all, Marvel security is notoriously tight.

Doomsday looks like it's going to be a wild multiversal story, and there are countless questions about what's going to go down. Both the Fantastic Four and the X-Men are from alternate universes, and it should be fascinating to see how they eventually collide. Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is expected to form an evil plan involving multiple timelines, and I can't wait to see the crossovers that will follow.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. A few teasers for the movie have already arrived, so hopefully we get a full-blown trailer sooner rather than later.

Next year is set to be a huge one for upcoming Marvel movies with the release of both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon. The latter is packed with so many MCU stars that the studio did a five-hour livestream just to announce the cast. Now, Kelsey Grammer (a.k.a. Beast) is the latest actor to be asked about the super secret project, and he actually gave us something.

Kelsey Grammer is set to reprise his X-Men role alongside Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn and James Marsden in Doomsday, and we can’t wait. Here’s what went down when Entertainment Tonight asked him about the movie:

• Kelsey Grammer: "To come back as Beast -- I don't know how much I'm allowed to talk about -- but it was fun to interact with people I hadn't acted with before."
• Interviewer: "Who were you most geeked out to interact with?"
• Kelsey Grammer: "You know, Thor. I'm a big fan of Robert Downey Jr. I love him."
• Interviewer: "You get to share a scene?"
• Kelsey Grammer: "It's sort of sharing a scene. I can't, I don't wanna go too far. And I really had a great time with the new guy from Fantastic Four."
• Interviewer: "Pedro Pascal?"
• Kelsey Grammer: "Pedro, yeah, yeah...wonderful guy. I really, really enjoyed hanging out with him. And we worked together...some."
• Interviewer: "You shared a scene in some capacity?"
• Kelsey Grammer: "Yes."

From the sounds of it, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast is going to be right there with the main heroes of the Avengers! The actor was cautious in the interview, but seemed to indicate he got to work directly with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom and Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic. It’s great to hear the X-Men actor is intermingling with the other corners of the MCU as opposed to just sticking with the mutants.

As a fan, I can particularly see Beast and Mr. Fantastic sharing a scene together because they are both brilliant scientists. I wonder if they’ll have to put their heads together to figure out a way to defeat Downey’s Doctor Doom?

Kelsey Grammer first joined the MCU officially during the end credits scene of The Marvels, where Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau meets Beast in an alternate universe to hers, seemingly confirming that the X-Men movies are canon, just in a parallel universe. We also know that the Fantastic Four live in a parallel universe to the main MCU universe, which should also be different from the one the OG X-Men live in.

The current Marvel saga we’re in is called The Multiverse Saga, so I imagine the characters from various universes will all need to work together to defeat Doctor Doom. During Fantastic Four: The First Steps’ Doomsday tease at the end of the movie, it was suggested that Doctor Doom is specifically after Reed Richards and Sue Storm's son, Franklin Richards, who is revealed to be packing some serious power even as an infant.

The Fantastic Four will likely be very involved in getting Franklin back, of course, but we’re so curious how all these Avengers will link up across the multiverse. The Avengers: Doomsday release is just 13 months away, considering it's coming out on December 18, 2026 – we’ll be theorizing a lot until then.

Materialists is a project on the 2025 movie schedule that caused quite a stir. While some Materialists' reviews (like ours) were very positive, others pointed out flaws, and online, there was a debate going on about the film. However, along with the “controversy” surrounding Celine Song’s romance has come a lot of success, and there’s no question that this A24 flick is a hit. The director doesn’t really want viewers to know that, though.

Now, this movie made over $105 million globally at the box office, which is impressive, especially since its estimated budget was $20 million. Plus, according to THR, it’s one of this year’s highest-grossing original films. Now that it’s hit streaming, even more people are watching it, as its No. 1 place on HBO Max proves. However, Celine Song doesn’t really want audiences to be aware of all that buzz, as she told The Hollywood Reporter:

She explained that she doesn’t want her movie to be commodified. She doesn’t want it to be used for corporate interest, and she simply wants Materialists to exist. Song said:

Song’s point here makes sense. I think she’s saying that when a film is used to sell a product, it’s hard to genuinely care for it. However, if a project is simply just art, it’s easier for audiences to deeply care and create a genuine connection with it.

When you think about the message of Materialists, this statement goes right along with it. The movie follows Dakota Johnson’s matchmaker, Lucy, as she tries to work the math of relationships to help her clients. Meanwhile, she’s also grappling with her own love life, as she finds herself having to choose between Pedro Pascal’s rich, steady and charming Harry or her ex, Chris Evans’ struggling actor but deeply caring and kind-hearted John.

The film dives deep into the collision of the math of relationships, the desire for financial stability, and the magic of love. And Materialists’ ending asks audiences to examine how they see love, relationships and the work and acceptance that comes with them. It also slaps audiences in the face with how money plays into all of it. In fact, that point of the movie is what caused the viral “broke man propaganda” debate.

Just like how Materialists ask audiences to examine their relationship with love and the role money plays in how they handle it, Song is hoping that audiences see the movie in a nuanced way, too.

The best way for audiences to do that is to make up their own mind about this film. They shouldn’t let outside buzz or, in Song’s words, “corporate interests” influence their experience if possible (which I think is true for all art); that way, their opinion and reading of the piece can be 100% their own. By doing that, the film can just be itself too.

Now, if you are looking to see Materialists, you can stream it with an HBO Max subscription.

SPOILERS are ahead for Materialists.

With just two months left in the year, I can say confidently that Celine Song’s Materialists is still one of the best 2025 movie releases I’ve seen. It’s been months since I first watched the romance movie starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, and it’s among the few films that I’ve continued to think about, and more importantly take into my life. While I absolutely loved it, the movie has been the object of a lot of conversation since its release that I think seems to have steered some people away from it getting its proper flowers.

Now that it’s streaming on HBO Max, and certainly a lot more people will be watching it, and adding to the heated debate, I wanted to add in my thoughts, and talk about why I think the reaction to Materialists is proof we need more modern romances in the world.

My Experience Watching And Falling For Materialists

I went to go see Materialists with a couple of friends over the summer after being taken aback by writer/director Celine Song’s debut movie, Past Lives. (And, of course the Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal of it all drew me in further). It remains one of the most memorable experiences I had in movie theaters this year, not only because of Song’s gorgeous filmmaking, and the really poignant story she tells about modern love, but because of the hours of conversation it sparked among my friends after the credits rolled.

Of course, we had a blast discussing whether Dakota Johnson’s matchmaker character Lucy should have chosen to get back together with her ex, John (Chris Evans), as she does at the end, stuck it out with Harry (Pedro Pascal), a wealthy man who initially sweeps her off her feet, or remained single. But, it ultimately led us to a discussion about our own relationships, and beliefs on being in love versus the practicalities of a longterm partnership. It made me reflect on my own patterns and preconceptions about relationships and marriage, and has continued to in the months since every now and again. As someone who loves romance movies and TV shows, I think it’s important to point out how rare of an experience I found this to be.

Explaining The Controversy Of Materialists

Which brings me to the viral “controversy” around Materialists – which I put in quotes, because the controversial part has more to do with audiences in my opinion than the content itself. Anyways, when I went to see this movie, I had heard about it sparking a lot of conversation about how the romances are handled. Obviously, once I saw it, I could totally understand why. There’s a lot to unpack about Lucy’s journey with John and Harry, and what the movie is perhaps trying to tell us about what’s important when settling down with a partner.

The loudest conversation that ended up ruling the internet’s discussion about it was viewers deeming it “broke boy propaganda” because John is a struggling actor and waiter who Lucy decides to stick with, rather than pursuing a wealthy, more “eligible” bachelor like Harry. When Refinery29 spoke to Song about this dialogue about her movie, she said she found it “disappointing” before saying this:

Alongside Song’s comments on her disapproval of the way the internet has been talking about John, she also spoke to the larger reason it bothers her. In her words:

I think Song makes an interesting point here, because it speaks to our current overarching value systems when it comes to relationships. Isn’t it interesting how the movie was pulled down a tier because it was decided that the message was that it was promoting women being with a man who’s characterized as being “broke,” rather than celebrating the main characters for choosing love over materialism?

I'm Shocked At How Many People Missed The Point Of The Movie

That last question is particularly interesting to me (as someone who did like the ending) because it’s literally just a movie! I find it really interesting that a horde of people criticized Lucy for choosing the man with the least impressive bank account, despite clearly having a long held connection and real spark with him, even in the world of make believe movies, where there’s no actual stakes to her making the decision. One of our prior pieces from another writer also wrote about how she doesn’t believe the ending that Lucy and John will stay together. It felt like everyone decided to be her judgey mom who's like, "But, how much does he make, Lucy? Are you sure it's going to last, Lucy?"

I think the argument that has fueled conversations about Materialists misses the point, because they are treating Lucy like she’s a real person who needs to make this sensible decision, when we should be talking about the movie as a piece of entertainment and commentary on love. It’s a lot more interesting from a story point of view that Lucy chooses John because it’s not the sensible option; it's the human option. They’ve already broken up before. He still lives with roommates, and sure, she could find another Harry-type with a sizable bank account. Love is messy. Love is not logical, and that’s why it’s kind of beautiful. How many of us know someone who's in a relationship that doesn’t fully “make sense,” but absolutely works anyway? I keep going back to one quote in the film when John asks Lucy why people get married. As she replies:

The movie is telling us that love is a leap of faith, and it’s hopeful. You can have a list of have-tos all you want, but ultimately, settling down is choosing someone you think things will work with who you want to grow old alongside. If Lucy had picked Harry, whom she didn’t really love, she would have had security, sure, but that’s not what she was searching for the most.

I Think The Romance Genre Being Largely Dead For Over A Decade Has A Lot To Do With It

To wrap my thoughts up here, I think the reaction to Materialists shows a scary lack of romanticism in the current landscape when it comes to movies like this. A section of the internet wrote off this movie because they decided it was telling women to “settle” for men without deep pockets, when I think it's actually commenting on the human experience of deciding how to navigate partnership in the modern dating pool. It's reminded me that there simply aren't enough mainstream movies being made about people in relationships, now in 2025, and reminded me that there are a lot of interesting conversations to be had about this particular time for people looking for a partner.

I hope to see more filmmakers tell the kind of thought-provoking storylines about relationships that Materialists does, because at the end of the day, I think defining who we love, and why we love is one of the most important and vital conversations we can have. At a time where the romance genre rarely has viral moments like this, I think we might be a little out of practice.

The first full week of November brings a wide variety of movies and series to streaming. If you’re still in the mood for something spooky post-Halloween, Netflix has you covered. Disney+, however, is looking forward to a documentary look at what is sure to be one of the biggest movies of the year. And that’s just the beginning. Here’s a look at new movies streaming this week and new series worth checking out this week on streaming.

Frankenstein - November 7 (Netflix)

Following a brief theatrical run, one of the most anticipated movies of the year becomes available with your Netflix subscription. Sci-fi and fantasy maestro Guillermo del Toro puts his own touch on what’s called the original science fiction story, Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. Oscar Issac plays the doctor and Jacob Elordi the monster in this tale of a man who attempts to control life and pays the price.

Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films - November 7 (Disney+)

After waiting a decade for the second film in the Avatar franchise, the third movie will be here practically overnight by comparison. There are certainly a lot of people excited for Avatar: Fire and Ash, and those fans who can’t wait for the film’s December release will get a sneak peek via a behind-the-scenes documentary available this week with your Disney+ subscription.

Materialists HBO - November 7 (HBO Max)

The sexiest love triangle in a long time hit screens earlier this year with Celine Song’s Materialists. Dakota Johnson is torn between the rich and suave Pedro Pascal and the poor and suave Chris Evans. Everybody involved got solid reviews, but since the movie wasn’t a runaway hit at the box office, you likely haven’t seen it. So get your HBO Max subscription ready to check it out.

Pluribus - November 7 (Apple TV+)

Sometimes it may feel like you’re the only unhappy person in the world. In the new series Pluribus, available with your Apple TV+ subscription, from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, Rhea Seehorn plays Carol, an author who is literally the only unhappy person in the world, which makes it clear there is something wrong with the rest of the world. Carol has to figure out what it is.

Maxton Hall — The World Between Us Season 2 -November 7 (Prime Video)

Making a hit TV show is hard enough, but making one that resonates with fans around the world is more difficult still. Maxton Hall: The World Between Us was a massive hit even among fans who don’t speak German. The series returns with its second season if you’ve got a Prime Video subscription, and fans need not worry as Season 3 is already on the way.

2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - November 8 (Disney+)

Disney+ is a great place to go for music fans with numerous documentaries and live concert performances to watch, from both classic and contemporary artists. For the second year in a row, Disney+ will also be the home for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This year's inductees include such diverse talents as Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, and Soundgarden, and will almost certainly make for a fantastic show.

November has great material still on the way. Most notably, the final season of Stranger Things finally arrives later this month, but there’s so much more coming in November.

Saturday Night Live is a unique job in which every week the cast gets to work with a different celebrity. On a normal day, cast members might find themselves starstruck. Amid SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special, it was like all of Hollywood in one room, plus 50 years worth of SNL legends. Everywhere you looked, there were household names. Yet series alum Leslie Jones hilariously still managed to call Pedro Pascal by the wrong name, and oh, to be a fly on that wall.

Jones and the Mandalorian actor were far from the only surprising celebrity encounter that night. But I have to imagine this was an especially amusing interaction for Pascal. The former Saturday Night Live cast member recalled for Vulture the story of her meeting the Narcos actor at SNL50 and, while sharing her account, the comedian humorously dropped an f-bomb:

Man, I wish these two had crossed paths during Jones’ stint on SNL. This interaction itself would have been a great base for a sketch. Unfortunately, the Ghostbusters actress exited the late night sketch series in 2019, after five seasons as a writer and cast member for the show. Pedro Pascal didn’t make his debut as a guest host until 2023, at which point he was promoting The Last of Us. Considering how famous Pascal was at that time (and continues to be), I'm surprised Jones called him "Pablo" by mistake.

Speaking of the Materialists actor, he's been one of the best SNL hosts in the past few years, and I personally need him to host again ASAP. The Fantastic Four: First Steps star has starred in some of the best sketches to come out of the most recent seasons, like “Lisa from Temecula,” “Protective Mom" and one of my personal favorites, “Waking Up.”

The concept for that third sketch is so silly and dumb it ends up being really good. Pascal plays a car accident victim waking up from a coma with a valley girl accent, and the Gladiator II actor manages to nearly break everyone involved, something I remember Jones doing quite often during her time on the show.

These two would make an unstoppable comedic duo, and I really wish they had been in a sketch together during the SNL50. I can’t help but wonder if Leslie Jones would ever return to the show for a guest spot or even to host. Jones previously said she doesn’t miss the show at all, but who knows? Maybe working on the anniversary special created enough nostalgic energy to see her return someday, and I can only hope she invites Pablo -- I mean Pedro -- Pascal along.

Saturday Night Live airs on the eponymous night at 11:30 p.m. ET, and episodes are streamable with a Peacock subscription.

Nico Parker is only 20 years old, but she’s well on her way to solidifying herself as a star. She made her film debut in the live-action Dumbo in 2019, and from there, she’s been flying high. Literally, flying too, because she’s one of the stars of the highly successful and well-reviewed live-action How to Train Your Dragon. Now, she’s being recognized as a rising star, and her The Last of Us co-star, Pedro Pascal, penned a sweet tribute to his “first daughter” that’s making me emotional.

As I alluded to, Nico Parker was named one of the World’s Most Influential Rising Stars by Time. So, to prove that, Pedro Pascal penned the tribute to her. He started by gushing:

Well, that’s the sweetest thing ever. It’s also so meaningful considering who the roles they played in The Last of Us cast. When it comes to that show, we spend most of our time talking about Pascal’s Joel and Bella Ramsey’s Ellie. However, Parker played Pascal’s on-screen biological daughter, Sarah, who tragically dies at the start of the series (which you can stream with an HBO Max subscription).

While she wasn’t on screen for long, she made a huge impact on the video game adaptation and clearly on Pedro Pascal. Continuing his tribute, the Fantastic Four: First Steps actor wrote:

I’m sorry, but I simply cannot handle this. It’s far too sweet, heartfelt and further proof that both Pedro Pascal and Nico Parker are class acts.

However, to prove that note about Parker further, let’s talk about everything she’s doing to get this kind of acknowledgment. Along with How to Train Your Dragon, she has another project on the 2025 movie schedule called Poetic License. She’s also going to be filming those flying scenes on dragons again, because the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 is in the works, and she will return as Astrid. And, she’ll be diving into the horror genre eventually, too, by way of Osgood Perkins’ The Young People.

Really, her work and what’s to come speak for itself. However, Pascal’s tribute amplifies it and tells us about the person Nico Parker is. According to The Mandalorian star, she’s intelligent, sensitive, and utterly stunning.

So, if you weren’t on board the Nico Parker train yet, you should be now. While I wipe my tears over this sweet tribute from her Last of Us co-star and on-screen dad, you can see them in the show over on HBO Max. Meanwhile, we’ll keep you updated on the actress’s growing career, and I’ll also be hoping that she and Pascal do get the chance to collaborate again someday.

David Harbour and Pedro Pascal have known each since they were 17, with the former having joked about being “mad” at the latter for 30 years because he scored the lead role in a Northwestern play. These two will share screen time in December 2026 for Avengers: Doomsday, but that’s not the only movie they have coming up together. What’s even better is that this other movie is being put together by Andor creator Tony Gilroy.

Fresh off Gilroy bringing one of the best Disney+ Star Wars TV shows to a close after two seasons earlier this year, he’ll next write and direct Behemoth! for Searchlight Pictures. According to Deadline, David Harbour is currently in talks to star opposite Pedro Pascal, and the movie will begin filming in Los Angeles later this fall. The only plot detail for Behemoth! that’s been revealed is it will focus on a cellist.

This news comes just a month before David Harbour will wrap up his time as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things Season 5. The popular science fiction/horror series that’s viewable with a Netflix subscription catapulted him to worldwide popularity when it premiered in 2016, and later netted him two Emmy nominations and one Golden Globe nomination. Season 5 will be released in three parts, with two volumes releasing November 26 and December 25, respectively, on the 2025 TV schedule, followed by the finale on December 31. Pedro Pascal already made his big exit as Joel Miller in the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us.

Of course, 2025 has been a big year for both David Harbour and Pedro Pascal on the Marvel front. Harbour reprised Alexei Shostakov, a.k.a. Red Guardian, in Thunderbolts* (which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription), and he can also now be heard voicing an alternate version of the character in Marvel Zombies. Meanwhile, Pascal debuted as Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and I look forward to seeing these characters interact with each other when the events of Avengers: Doomsday roll around.

Still, as much as I like the prospect of Harbour and Pascal working together outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Behemoth! coming from the mind of Tony Gilroy is the cherry on top of this metaphorical sundae. He hasn’t directed a movie since 2012’s The Bourne Legacy, the sole installment in the action film series to not star Matt Damon, and he helmed Michael Clayton and Duplicity before that. That’s not to say he hasn’t been keeping busy with writing and producing stuff besides Andor, but I’m intrigued to see what he has cooking with Behemoth! Along with his writing and directorial duties, Gilroy is producing with Sanne Wohlenberg.

No release date has been set yet for Behemoth!, but we’ll keep you apprised on that information and more updates as they come in. Looking to next year before Avengers: Doomsday arrives, David Harbour will star in Goat and Violent Night 2, and Pedro Pascal will reprise Din Djarin in The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Pete Davidson has been in the celebrity limelight since bursting onto the scene as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in 2014. Since then, Davidson has experienced the trials of stardom and has been candid about his experiences. On that note, the comedian recently discussed a trend that involves fans getting bored with a star like him, and he also named Pedro Pascal and Walton Goggins to make his point. And Goggins has since provided a response to Davidson’s assessment.

What Exactly Did Pete Davidson Say About Fans’ Feelings Towards Him And Other Big Names?

The King of Staten Island star shared his views during a recent appearance on the This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von podcast, which is on YouTube. Davidson opined that once a star gains major recognition, they’re greatly beloved by the public only for that affection to eventually turn to resentment a few years later. When illustrating his point, Davidson then mentioned Pedro Pascal, who’s been working in the entertainment industry for decades but only became a household name several years ago:

Pascal has received considerable exposure due to a wealth of acting opportunities over the last few years. The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, Materialists, Eddington, The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Gladiator II are just a few of the TV and film credits he’s amassed between 2019 and now. Pascal was also dubbed the Internet’s “zaddy” (and LoU co-star Bella Ramsey has strong feelings about that). As popular as the Emmy nominee has been, though, there are now some who seem to be annoyed as to why he keeps popping up in major projects.

Another seasoned performer who’s seen a major surge in popularity as of late is Walton Goggins. While the Alabama native has been a working actor for some time, he has scored major TV roles in recent years, with The White Lotus, Fallout, Invincible, George & Tammy, The Righteous Gemstones and more. Considering how popular Goggins currently is, Davidson believes he’ll be the next leading man to receive backlash:

Pete Davidson’s comments spread far and wide after his episode of Theo Von’s podcast dropped. So it probably shouldn’t be too surprising that Goggins himself spotted the sentiments.

How Did Walton Goggins Respond To Pete Davidson’s Comments?

The Justified star took to his Instagram to share his response to the comments made on the podcast. Goggins shared a post that included a screenshot of THR’s article on the subject along with some pics from his trip to Paris. With his lengthy caption, Goggins said he “had to respond” after seeing the article and noted that Davidson (who he doesn’t know personally) was merely discussing his own experiences. He also agreed that Pascal is a “great man” and called him a “dear friend.” From there, Goggins said this:

Walton Goggins – who’s even been called a sex symbol – also acknowledged that fans have the option as to whether or not they want to support him and that if they do, he appreciates it. As for being included in the article, he explained why he sees it as a “blessing” as opposed to a “curse”:

Walton Goggins closed out his statement by saying that he’s “going to enjoy the fuck out of” this time in his life. That’s completely understandable and, as a fan of his, I appreciate that he has such a high level of self-awareness regarding his position in the industry. I find it satisfying when hard-working stars like him, Pedro Pascal and Pete Davidson hit it big, and I hope all three continue to thrive and do the work they enjoy.

Pedro Pascal has been in all over 2025 movie releases and TV shows his work in The Last Of Us, Marvel epic The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and his A24 films Eddington and Materialists (or the one no one is talking about). But he’s also been making headlines for his avid allyship to the LGBTQ+ community, especially in support of the trans community. From wearing the viral “Protect The Dolls” shirt to speaking out against J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans rhetoric, as well as simply supporting his sister and fellow actor, Lux Pascal. And his support goes way back!

Lux Pascal is an actor to watch in her own right as her first leading role, Miss Carbón, is set to come out for those with a Netflix subscription later this year. As we get ready for the movie, which is a biopic about trailblazing trans coal miner Carlita Antonella Rodríguez, the siblings talked about their relationship for Elle. While Pedro is 17 years older than his sister, they spoke of a longtime close bond between them. As Lux pointed out during their conversation:

It’s likely pretty unknown to most that prior to Pascal’s fame, which really took off starting with his role in Game Of Thrones in 2014, Pascal wrote a play four years earlier called Flaca Loves Bone, which was directed by Sarah Silverman. The play is about a “fictional world” where a transgender prostitute (Flaca) and a runaway boy (Bone) fall in love (via Instagram). Pascal was writing a trans love story years before Lux would transition. Lux also said this of her brother’s early acceptance of her:

Lux Pascal, who is currently 33, came out publicly as transgender in early 2021. The actress said in a feature (via People) that they started receiving hormone treatment the summer before along with saying her transition has been “very natural for everyone” in her family after previously coming out as nonbinary to them. Pascal added this during their recent conversation:

Lux Pascal has certainly been a supportive sister of Pedro Pascal, between sharing her emotional thoughts on his The Last Of Us ending and casting hopes for the Marvel universe. Pedro's support of his sister is genuine and sweet, as she dives into one of the upcoming LGBTQ+ movies on the way (and we imagine the Juilliard graduate will get many more roles if she’s anything like her brother). It’s rare representation to see a public example of allyship amongst siblings in Hollywood.

Throughout its years on the air, a number of HBO shows got the world talking and were quintessential water cooler talk. Those with an HBO Max subscription will likely know that The Last Of Us is the latest example of this, and is an Emmy-nominated hit. The show's creator recently teased one aspect of Season 3 that's going to end a long-standing critic of the second season.

What we know about The Last Of Us Season 3 is limited, but fans of the games have an idea about where the story will go. The TV adaptation was co-created by Craig Mazin, who recently spoke to THR about what's coming next. When asked if the pacing will be affected by what's left of the game's story, he offered:

Hey, that's something! Many fans were bummed out when it was revealed that Season 2 of the apocalyptic drama would be made up of just 7 episodes, two less than the 9-episode run we were given in Season 1. While Mazin didn't reveal exactly how many chapters we'll get in the third season, it sounds like it'll be more than the most recent installment.

Fans are eager for more episodes after The Last Of Us' Season 2 finale, which saw Ellie finally coming face to face with Abby. The latter character shot our protagonist, and the final moments indicated Kaitlyn Dever's character would become the subject of Season 3.

Season 2 was a rollercoaster, especially for fans who didn't already play the games. The death of Pedro Pascal's Joel in Episode 2 was a gut punch, one that changed the story of the series forever. After that Ellie has been consumed by her need for revenge, which is actually quite similar to her nemesis Abby. Exactly how this story ultimately plays out remains to be seen, but thinks looked deadly when they reunited in the finale.

While the first season adapted the original Last Of Us game, its sequel has been split across multiple. There are a number of sequences and bits of dialogue that are taken directly from that source material, as well as the inclusion of some of the OG actors. But the HBO show also introduced some new characters and dynamics along the way, ensuring even the biggest fan has moments of discovery.

The first two seasons of The Last Of Us are streaming on HBO Max as part of the 2025 TV schedule. Unfortunately, it's unclear when we'll get the next season, as there are have been conflicting reports about when production will begin.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to new projects arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The latest project to hit theaters is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which won at the box office upon its release. The actors playing the titular team have great chemistry, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach recently poked fun at Pedro Pascal over a similarity between the latter's characters in both FF and his other recent release, Materialists.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that the cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps killed it while promoting the blockbuster, proving their close bond extends off camera. That's not stopping as Moss-Bachrach took to his Instagram Story to poke fun at his co-star. That was namely because (and spoilers for Materialists) Pascal's characters in both films stretch their legs. That includes Reed Richards' stretching powers and Harry Castillo getting a limb-lengthening surgery. The star of The Bear (which is streaming with a Hulu subscription) used a LEGO minifigure to make fun of his co-star, check it out below:

Shots fired. This connection might have gone unnoticed by some moviegoers, but not Ebon Moss-Bachrach. So he was sure to share this funny IG Story to his 469k followers on the social media outlet.

Obviously, Reed Richards' stretching abilities are well-known, but not everyone saw Materialists in theaters. The romantic comedy-drama featured Pascal as a wealthy man named Harry Castillo. In the movie, it's revealed that he was originally 5'6, before undergoing an expensive limb-lengthening surgery, which left him with legs full of scars. It's a strange coincidence that both of Pascal's characters share this trait, which is something that Ebon Moss-Bachrach couldn't resist pointing out on social media.

I can only imagine what the texts between these two actors might look like. Hopefully, they get to reunite soon to continue poking fun at each other.

While Fantastic Four: First Steps is in the rear view, the movie's quartet of leading actors were included in Avengers: Doomsday's cast announcement. They've already reunited for upcoming Marvel movies, and it seems like this is just the beginning for the Fantastic Four. And I'm hoping for more of them poking fun at each other throughout the years.

Pedro Pascal might have been named the internet's daddy, but he's been working non-stop lately, taking on a bunch of other names in the process. Aside from his ongoing tenure in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, he was also recently seen in Eddington, Gladiator II, and The Wild Robot. And with his tenure in the MCU only just beginning, he's definitely going to be on our screens for the foreseeable future.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is still in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Materialists can be rented and purchased digitally now. We'll just have to wait and see if a third movie features Pascal stretching his limbs.

SPOILERS for The Fantastic Four: First Steps are ahead!

Exactly four weeks ago, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was released onto the 2025 movies schedule, fulfilling the promise of introducing Marvel’s First Family to the MCU six years after Marvel Studios acquired the film rights to the team as part of the Disney/Fox merger. For the most part, the 37th MCU movie has been met with positive critical reception, and it’s also become the highest-grossing Fantastic Four movie. I’m certainly among its fans, but now that I’m a month separated from having seen First Steps, there’s something that’s still bothering me about Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards: the underwhelming utilization of his stretching power.

You can’t make a Fantastic Four movie without turning Reed, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic’s, body elastic, just like Sue Storm needs to be able to turn invisible and generate force fields, Ben Grimm needs to become a super-strong rock man, and Johnny Storm needs to be pyrokinetic. But while those latter three frequently use their abilities throughout The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Reed is rarely seen stretching. The only notable examples that come to mind are when he’s briefly seen fighting one of Red Ghost’s apes, and then extending those limbs a few times during the final conflict with Galactus, including when the World Devourer nearly ripped him in half.

Instead, First Steps prioritizes Reed Richards’ genius intellect, which I get to a degree. He’s responsible for the technological advancements on this 1960s-based Earth-828, and brains certainly stand a much better chance of thwarting Galactus than brawn. It was also a good idea to highlight Reed’s smarts and calculated way of thinking as a foil to Sue being more emotionally healthy, and I look forward to seeing more of this contrast when they, along with Ben and Johnny, return next year in Avengers: Doomsday.

Still, I wish The Fantastic Four: First Steps had not only shown Reed stretching more often, but also using that power in more unique ways. He’s capable of so much more than just throwing a punch at a farther distance or making himself taller. Let’s see him curl himself into a ball to hurl at opponents, or become a parachute so he can rescue someone mid-fall, or bend his legs together into a spring so he can bounce around.

I can understand why this would have been difficult to depict in the Fantastic Four movies from the 2000s, but I feel like visual effects have progressed enough that it would have been doable for First Steps. With a production budget of over $200 million, surely some of that money could have been spent showing Reed stretching and contorting his body in more creative ways. He was an exceptional scientist in the movie, but he was somewhat lacking in the superhero department.

Again, I enjoyed The Fantastic Four: First Steps overall, and I look forward to being able to stream it with my Disney+ subscription, if not just buy my own copy. But when we reunite with the Fantastic Four in Avengers: Doomsday, I just hope that Mister Fantastic can use that amazing stretching of his… well, more fantastically.

HBO doesn't have a monopoly on prestige television, but they are the king of it. The network loves to work with the same people who have proved they have what it takes to make great shows. That includes many of the same great actors who appear on more than one show. Some of these actors have appeared in three or four (or more) shows over the years, but for this list, we're sticking with at least two, usually the ones they are best known for. Actors like Wendell Pierce, Cynthia Nixon, and many more.

Wendell Pierce - The Wire And Treme

Wendell Pierce first broke out as the best-dressed detective in the Baltimore Homicide Unit on The Wire. Pierce's character, Bunk Moreland, appears in every episode of the show. A couple of years after The Wire ended in 2008, the show's creator returned to HBO with Treme, and it was a natural fit to include Pierce, who is a New Orleans native, in the cast.

Carrie Coon - The Gilded Age And The White Lotus

2025 was a huge year for Carrie Coon on HBO. Not only did she return for Season 3 of The Gilded Age as the determined high society lady, Bertha Russell, but she also killed it on the third season of the anthology series The White Lotus. She stole the show with her monologue in the final episode of that show, while continuing to dominate New York society in the 1880s in The Gilded Age.

Steve Buscemi - The Wire And Boardwalk Empire

Steve Buscemi's first appearance on HBO came when he joined the cast of The Sopranos as Tony Blundetto, Tony Soprano's cousin, in Season 5 of the legendary peak TV-era show. He wasn't on the show long, but a couple of years later, he played a much bigger role on Boardwalk Empire. He played the fictional mob boss Nucky Thompson in the period piece created by Sopranos writer Terrance Winter.

Evan Rachel Wood - True Blood And Westworld

Evan Rachel Wood started her career as a talented child actor and made her first appearance on HBO as a recurring character in True Blood. She made an even bigger splash on the network as one of the main characters in Westworld. Wood also appeared in the miniseries Mildred Pierce on HBO.

Alexander Skarsgård - True Blood And Big Little Lies

Alexander Skarsgård is a true HBO regular. His first show for the network, the limited series Generation Kill, aired in 2008 and he returned to the network that same year as a series regular in the vampire hit True Blood. While still starring on that show, he made a one-off appearance in the series finale of Eastbound and Down. He was a main cast member on Big Little Lies, playing a very dark character (and earning an Emmy in the process), before he took on a notable guest-starring role in Succession, earning two more Emmy nominations.

Sydney Sweeney - Euphoria And The White Lotus

Sydney Sweeney burst onto the scene alongside her castmates in the teen drama Euphoria on HBO in 2019 and in 2022, she also appeared in Season 1 of The White Lotus. She earned not one, but two Emmy nominations that year, one for each show.

Edie Falco - Oz And The Sopranos

The HBO show Oz was an early entry in the "peak TV era" from the network, running for six seasons in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The cast of Oz was stacked and included Edie Falco as Officer Diane Whittlesey. That isn't the show she is most famous for on the network, of course. As Falco's time was coming to a close, she landed the role of a lifetime as Carmela Soprano in The Sopranos, and her amazing performances earned her three Emmy awards.

Aidan Gillen - Game Of Thrones And The Wire

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in Game of Thrones is one of the great TV villains of all time, and the character was played brilliantly by Aidan Gillen. It wasn't Gillen's first major role on HBO, as that came a few years earlier when he played the ambitious politician Tommy Carcetti on the final three seasons of The Wire.

Cynthia Nixon - And Just Like That And The Gilded Age

itsCynthia Nixon has been a staple on HBO for decades now, starring as Miranda Hobbes in And Just Like That... and it's predecessor. She's also one of the stars of the incredible period drama The Gilded Age as the spinster-turned-wealthy widow Ada Forte, née Brook.

Michiel Huisman - Game Of Thrones And Treme

Treme, which ran for four seasons on HBO, had a whole host of actors who were HBO regulars. Michiel Huisman, who played the musician only known as "Sonny" on the New Orleans-based show, was also starring in a little show called Game of Thrones at the same time on the network, playing Daario Naharis.

Michelle Monaghan - True Detective And The White Lotus

It must be incredibly rewarding for any actor to have the opportunity to star in two anthology shows on HBO. Michelle Monaghan knows exactly how it feels. She first starred in Season 1 of True Detective and, more recently, was part of the stellar cast of Season 3 of The White Lotus.

Michael K. Williams - The Wire And Boardwalk Empire

The late Michael K. Williams left behind an incredible legacy at HBO. He was, of course, one of the most incredible TV characters of all time as Omar Little on The Wire, and he followed that up with a great turn as a gangster in 1920s New Jersey in Boardwalk Empire. Those weren't his only appearances on the network. He popped up in a one-off scene on The Sopranos in 2001, then later in the miniseries The Night Of. His final television credit before his tragic death was on the HBO show Lovecraft Country.

Alexandra Daddario - The White Lotus And True Detective

Before earning an Emmy nomination for her great turn as newlywed Rachel Patton in Season 1 of The White Lotus, Alexandra Daddario had a recurring role on another HBO anthology series, True Detective, during its first season. She even had a cameo early in her career in The Sopranos.

Murray Bartlett - The White Lotus And The Last Of Us

It's easy to see why The White Lotus was such a monster hit when it aired its first season, with Murray Bartlett stealing the show as the hotel manager who gets caught in a serious downward spiral as the show goes on. He's hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. Later, he was cast in "Long, Long Time," one of the most beloved episodes of The Last of Us, as Frank, the deceased lover of Bill, played by Nick Offerman. While it was only one episode, it was so good that we had to include it here. Bartlett was also a regular cast member on the HBO show Looking.

Danny McBride - Eastbound And Down And The Righteous Gemstones

What is there to be said about Danny McBride's various sitcoms on HBO? After making his name in supporting roles in movies like Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder, he arrived on HBO in the now-legendary Eastbound and Down. His next hit for the network was Vice Principals alongside Walton Goggins, and then as Jesse Gemstone on The Righteous Gemstones.

Clarke Peters - The Wire And Treme

It's hard to believe that The Wire is one of those shows that never won an Emmy. That goes double for the excellent cast, including the great Clarke Peters, who played Lester Freamon in all five seasons of the show. Like some of his co-stars on the show, he also appeared in Treme on HBO.

Jeanne Tripplehorn - The Gilded Age And Big Love

Jeanne Tripplehorn is a veteran actor whose career stretches back to 1992's Basic Instinct. She was a big part of Big Love on HBO as Bill's only legal wife in the show about polygamy in Utah. Tripplehorn also starred in a recurring role on The Gilded Age as a disgraced high society outcast who happens to be one of the kindest characters on the show. She was also nominated for an Emmy for her role as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Grey Gardens on HBO.

Jeffrey Wright - Westworld And Boardwalk Empire

Jeffrey Wright is one of the best actors of his generation, and he's had an opportunity to show off just how great he is in multiple HBO shows. First, he won an Emmy for his role in the miniseries Angels in America. Later, he had a recurring role on Boardwalk Empire, before his fantastic turn on Westworld, for which he was nominated for three more Emmys, but sadly didn't win one. In 2025, he reprised his voice role in The Last of Us video game in the HBO adaptation.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler - The Sopranos And Entourage

Jamie-Lynn Sigler occupies an interesting spot here. Of course, she's best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on The Sopranos. Her next role on HBO came in a role that was a fictionalized version of herself dating Turtle in Entourage.

Walton Goggins - Vice Principals And The White Lotus

Walton Goggins has been one of the hardest-working actors in Hollywood for many years, and in 2025, he really upped his profile with his fantastic performance in Season 3 of The White Lotus. It was his third major show on HBO after Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones.

Lena Headey - Game Of Thrones And The White House Plumbers

She played one of the greatest villains of all time on Game of Thrones, and Lena Headey returned to HBO in 2023 in the underrated miniseries The White House Plumbers, where she played Dorothy Hunt, wife of one of the Watergate burglars, E. Howard Hunt.

Pedro Pascal - Game Of Thrones And The Last Of Us

Like a lot of actors, Pedro Pascal put in a ton of work early in his career with one-off roles in every show you can imagine. Then, in 2014, he was cast as Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones, and his career blew up. More recently, he's been breaking hearts on The Last of Us on HBO.

Indira Varma - Game Of Thrones And Rome

The Game of Thrones cast was absolutely stacked, including the great Indira Varma, who played Ellaria Sand in 13 episodes of the show. That wasn't her first time in an HBO show, however. In 2005, she starred as Niobe in two seasons of Rome, the incredibly underrated (and expensive to produce) historical drama created by John Milius.

Jim True-Frost - The Wire And Treme

Jim True-Frost's character in The Wire has one of the most interesting character arcs on a show full of great arcs. His performance as Roland Pryzbylewski was, like so many others on the show, nothing short of excellent. Like others on The Wire, True-Frost also starred in Treme. He even had a cameo in Boardwalk Empire as legendary lawman Eliot Ness.

Kim Dickens - Deadwood And Treme

Kim Dickens has a stellar television resume, and two jewels on that CV are both HBO shows. First, she was one of the main characters, Joanie, in Deadwood. Later, she starred on Treme.

John Hawkes - Deadwood And Eastbound And Down

The original cast of Deadwood was a bunch of heavyweights, including John Hawkes, who played Sol throughout the run of the show. A few years later, the versatile actor returned to HBO in a completely different kind of role as the brother of Kenny Powers in Eastbound & Down. Most recently, he put in a fantastic performance in Season 4 of the anthology series True Detective.

Rose Leslie - Game Of Thrones And The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife is one of the more under-the-radar shows in HBO history. Rose Leslie led the cast of the show that was canceled after one season, despite a passionate fanbase. Of course, Leslie first became a star on HBO as Ygritte on Game of Thrones.

Bobby Cannavale - Boardwalk Empire And Vinyl

Bobby Cannavale really made his name on HBO as the volatile gangster Gyp Rosetti in Boardwalk Empire, though his first gig on the network was in a small role on Six Feet Under. After Boardwalk Empire, he teamed up with the creators of Vinyl, starring in the lone season of the short-lived show.

Edi Patterson - The Righteous Gemstones And Vice Principals

The Righteous Gemstones and Vice Principals are two shows that were perfect for Edi Patterson. She's wonderful at playing quirky characters, fitting in great with the cast of both of those shows.

Domenick Lombardozzi - The Wire And Boardwalk Empire

Herc in The Wire is an obnoxious character that is hard to love, but Domenick Lombardozzi's performance charms everyone who watches the show. He repeated the feat later on Boardwalk Empire.

Regina King - Watchmen And The Leftovers

If anyone on this list needs no introduction, it's the great Regina King. She is a force of nature in everything she does, including two excellent HBO shows, The Leftovers and the one-and-done Season of Watchmen.

Michael Imperioli - The Sopranos And The White Lotus

Some people might remember Michael Imperioli as Spider in Goodfellas, but most will first know him as Christopher Moltisanti, Tony's frustrating nephew in The Sopranos. He returned to HBO in Season 2 of The White Lotus and once again reminded fans of the network how great he can be.

Pedro Pascal has had one heck of a year. Between being a part of one of the biggest 2025 TV shows with The Last of Us Season 2 and having significant roles in two of the biggest releases on the 2025 movie schedule, he has become the internet’s shorthand for ubiquity. But while Pascal may be carrying some of Hollywood’s biggest projects on his shoulders, his fellow Fantastic Four cast member Paul Walter Hauser has quietly been building an equally busy résumé, just in a different way.

In a candid new profile with GQ, Hauser addressed the comparisons to Pascal’s non-stop schedule. What makes his recent career feel like an omnipresence without quite being a takeover? Well, it might have to do with the size of his roles. He explained to the outlet:

It’s a telling breakdown of how Hauser has become one of the most ubiquitous actors in 2025 without actually monopolizing his time. While Pascal leads massive franchises, the Black Bird performer thrives as a supporting player, slipping into projects long enough to steal a scene or provide ballast for the bigger names. The result is a run that has him appearing in comedies, like the excellent Naked Gun reboot, to indies to superhero tentpoles, all within the same calendar year.

That versatility, however, comes with its own set of challenges. The Queenpins veteran added:

Hauser admitted there are both benefits and frustrations of being seen primarily as a “character actor.” The label, he says, motivates him to push beyond being cast as the oddball or comic relief. He continued:

Paul Walter Hauser as garnish? Now that’s an image.

It's clear Hauser is grateful for his place in Hollywood, knowing his ability to blend into so many projects—without being typecast into a single lane—has made him a reliable presence. From playing Mole Man in The Fantastic Four: First Steps to anchoring prestige dramas like Deliver Me From Nowhere, he’s carving out a career that balances visibility with range.

If you’ve noticed the Richard Jewell actor seemingly “everywhere,” that’s by design. But as Paul Walter Hauser points out, it’s not about dominating the scree, but about knowing when to drop in, do the work, and move on.

He can now be seen starring opposite Sydney Sweeney in the indie western crime thriller Americana, which is playing in theaters.

At this point, it’s known that there were several elements cut from The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Chief among those deleted elements is John Malkovich’s Red Ghost, who was removed due to the need to balance other storytelling elements within the film. At the very least, some fresh concept art shows off Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards engaging with Red Ghost’s minions in a truly freaky way. As eye-catching as that is, though, it’s the sheer scale of Galactus in the artwork that has me stunned by how he could’ve looked.

It’s not uncommon for artwork from Marvel Studios’ various movies and TV shows to be released in some form or fashion after a project’s release. When it comes to Fantastic Four: First Steps, illustrator Wesley Burt took to X to share artwork from a sequence that fans only saw a snippet of in the finished film. The scene in question involved the FF battling Red Ghost’s army of super-apes. More specifically, in Burt’s image, Reed is seen having his jaw pulled (and stretched) by one of the powerful primates. Check it out:

That artwork looks like a panel ripped straight from the pages of a comic book, and I love it. However, I’m also somewhat wincing over how that would’ve looked on the big screen. Reed getting his jaw pulled by an ape may not constitute true body horror, but it's certainly a wild image. What audiences did get to see in the 2025 movie release, though, was Reed getting aggressively stretched by Galactus during First Steps’ final battle. Speaking of the Devourer of Worlds, check out how he looks in the art Ryan Meinderding shared on Instagram:

And here I thought Galactus’ massive size in actual clips from the movie was scary enough. It’s so surreal to see the gigantic extraterrestrial’s enormous figure in comparison to Reed Richards, who looks like a tiny bug making its way up his arm. Another cool piece of artwork, shared to IG by illustrator Jackson Sze, also emphasizes how large the planet-eater’s frame could’ve been, as it shows him on his ship as it hovers over Earth:

The sight of the very large Marvel villain may be disconcerting in some respects but, as a fan, I was downright thrilled to see him portrayed in all his glory on the big screen. Director Matt Shakman and his team deserve a lot of credit for translating the character to the big screen in such a way. Also, of course, Ralph Ineson – who portrays the big bad – gives an excellent performance that helps make this cosmic giant feel tangible.

Of course, on the other side of the equation, it’s truly unfortunate that John Malkovich’s work isn’t featured in The Fantastic Four. Malkovich revealed earlier this year that after turning down other offers for superhero movies, he joined FF due to the fact that it wouldn’t be grueling for him to make. As far as the public knows, the Red Ghost footage still exists but, given the VFX that would need to be added to it, Matt Shakman said a director’s cut is unlikely to showcase it.

I suppose fans will always have the nifty concept art to refer to, though. Also, who knows, maybe there’s a chance that John Malkovich could actually appear in a theoretical sequel to First Steps and encounter similar to the one in the concept art could play out. On top of that, despite Galactus’ somewhat ambiguous fate at the end of the movie, I’d also love to see him back in the fold. We’ll just have to wait and see how that all shakes out but, in the meantime, I’ll just continue to admire the concept art.

Anyone who wants to see more of the illustrations and mock-ups should be on the lookout for Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps – The Art Of The Movie Slipcase, which will be released on November 18. Of course, fans can also check out the movie itself in theaters now and stream other FF flicks with a Disney+ subscription.

Spoilers for the end of Materialists are ahead.

Of the projects on the 2025 movie schedule, few have sparked the debate that Celine Song’s latest romantic drama, Materialists, has. The film follows Dakota Johnson’s Lucy, a matchmaker who embarks on her own relationship journey with the “perfect on paper” Harry, who is played by Pedro Pascal. This relationship becomes complicated as she also decides to foster a friendship with her ex-boyfriend John, who is a struggling actor played by Chris Evans. Lucy ends up choosing John over Harry, which fans were vocally annoyed about due to his financial struggles. However, the filmmaker has a different opinion on the ending of Materialists, and it was incredibly thoughtful.

Celine Song was asked to comment on some of the criticisms of Materialists, including some snarky ones on Letterboxd, during an interview with Refinery29. Many people have been calling the film “broke man propaganda” for essentially promoting a relationship with someone of a lower socio-economic class at a time when the economy is arguably struggling, as this might not be financially wise.

While these reviews have been infused with humor, Song expressed that she doesn’t find this commentary very funny at all, because it misrepresents feminist ideas. She explained:

Essentially, Song believes that limiting the character of John to just his socioeconomic status strips him of his person. He is a fully fleshed out character, with a lot of love for and a connection to Lucy, which Harry lacks despite being more wealthy and established.

Song intended for the film to be told from a feminist perspective, which emphasises the value of the person, and she has historically fought against systems of oppression, including classism. She continued to comment on this idea, saying that to reduce the John character to being a “broke man” diminishes him. She said:

There is a lot of truth to what Song is saying, especially if you consider why John is poor in the film. He is hardworking, but also has chosen a career in the arts, which has become less and less of a lucrative field in modern society, which places less value on the arts and cultural contribution. The point of the film is that Lucy decides to marry John at City Hall because of who John is as a person, and her emotional connection to him, rather than what he is able to provide for her. This doesn’t promote “being broke” but rather partnerships based on love rather than opportunity.

I think it's admirable and truly thoughtful for Song to defend her film in such a way, putting it more in a cultural context. However, the alternative argument towards the message in Materialists is still quite compelling. While we can reduce it to snarky Letterboxd reviews meant to be humorous, there is some truth to recognizing John’s faults. He isn’t just “poor,” he also lacks a certain maturity that lands him in certain situations.

Audiences have pointed out that deciding to take a car to dinner when he can’t afford to park it is a result of poor planning. And maybe his flaw isn’t that he’s a cater-waiter with roommates, it’s that he’s a cater-waiter with roommates that make his living situation unlivable, and he hasn’t sought an alternative option in years.

It’s hard for some not to put Harry on a pedestal when John isn’t living up to the occasion, in many ways. From this perspective, it makes sense why some critics called Materialists cynical.

However, I also completely see the point the director was making.

Whatever side of the debate you land on, the fact that Celine Song has made a movie that has kept people talking is an achievement in its own right, showing it’s more than just a typical rom-com. You can decide how you feel about Lucy’s two dashing romantic prospects now, as Materialists is currently available to rent or purchase on Amazon.

It’s safe to say Pedro Pascal is having a very good year. Between being a part of one of the biggest 2025 TV shows with The Last of Us Season 2 to having large roles in two of the biggest releases on the 2025 movie schedule, we’ve seen a lot of the former Game of Thrones actor. However, while everyone is talking about The Fantastic Four: The First Steps, there’s one movie that seems to have flown under the radar: Freaky Tales.

If you haven’t heard of Freaky Tales, just know that it’s an anthology film set in Oakland in 1987, telling four underdog stories – be it in sports, the world of crime, the East Bay’s hip hop scene, or a battle between punks and Nazi skinheads. Now that it’s streaming with an HBO Max subscription, there’s no reason not to watch this Pedro Pascal movie no one is talking about…

Freaky Tales Is A Wild And Blood-Soaked Anthology Film Will All Kinds Of Surprises

Don’t worry, you’re not going to find any spoilers that weren’t already teased in the Freaky Tales trailer below, but just know that this is a wild and blood-soaked anthology film where all four stories – “Strength in Numbers: The Gilman Strikes Back,” “Don’t Fight the Feeling,” “Born to Mack,” and “The Legend of Sleepy Floyd” – share a common conneection. It’s campy, it’s violent, and it’s fun as hell.

And then there are the surprises throughout Freaky Tales. With some outrageous cameos, including one that I’m still laughing about days later, pop culture references, and one shocking turn after another, this crazy anthology film is something else!

Like The Last Of Us And The Fantastic Four, Pedro Pascal Plays A Father Forced To Make A Grave Decision

Pedro Pascal has played some great dads and father figures in recent years, with The Wild Robot, The Fantastic Four: The First Steps, The Last of Us, and The Mandalorian quickly coming to mind. This is the same for Freaky Tales, as the in-demand actor, who had to drop out of another great 2025 horror flick, Weapons, plays a former enforcer who’s tasked with making a grave decision after the birth of his first child.

Again, I won’t give anything away, but his character finds himself in quite a pickle where there’s only one, and incredibly violent, way out.

I Honestly Don't Know How This Flew Under The Radar

When I was writing about all the new 2025 action movies I wanted to see, I made sure to include Freaky Tales, as the premise and cast had me interested to see how it’d all go down. Back then, and even now, I haven’t come across anyone else who’s watched this movie, and I’m struggling to figure out how it flew under the radar for so long.

With Captain Marvel and Masters of the Air’s Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck directing, a cast that includes Jay Ellis as NBA legend Sleepy Floyd, Ironheart’s Dominique Thorne, Ben Mendelsohn, and the late Angus Cloud, and some of the wildest gore I’ve seen all year, this checks all the boxes. Maybe now, with the movie streaming on HBO Max, this will change.

Don’t be like me and wait so long to watch Freaky Tales, because this is one wild-as-hell anthology film you won’t want to miss.

In case you missed it, Zach Cregger’s Weapons is a fantastic horror film that just hit the 2025 movie schedule. The film boasts a unique premise and an all-star cast, including Julia Garner, Benedict Wong, Austin Abrams, Alden Ehrenreich, and Josh Brolin. But the final lineup for the unique horror movie could have looked very different — before Brolin came aboard, his role was set for Pedro Pascal. While Pascal had to bow out, he still managed to drop an F-bomb in support of the film’s opening weekend.

How Pedro Celebrated the Movie’s Release

The Fantastic Four: First Steps star marked the occasion on Instagram, posting a playful shoutout to his MCU co-star’s new horror flick and its strong box office debut. In the Story post (shared below), he urged fans to catch the film in theaters, dropping a well-placed F-bomb or two for emphasis.

He tagged Cregger, Garner, and the official Weapons account, making it clear there are zero hard feelings, just plenty of love for a project he clearly still believes in.

Why Pascal Had To Drop Out Of The Horror Movie

Weapons was almost a very different looking flick, as it had nearly a completely different cast. Thanks to the twin Hollywood shutdowns of 2023 — the SAG-AFTRA strike (July 14–Nov 9) and the WGA strike (May 2–Sept 27) — the production was brought to a complete standstill. By the time Weapons could gear back up, the film’s shooting schedule was in shambles. Writer-director Zach Cregger recently told Entertainment Weekly:

Of the original four, only Abrams carried over, now playing James, a homeless man hooked on drugs. Cregger filled the Pascal void with Josh Brolin and rounded out the new ensemble with Alden Ehrenreich as local cop Paul, Amy Madigan, and Julia Garner as Ms. Justine Gandy, the teacher whose entire class disappears one night at 2:17 a.m.

Weapons Lives Up To All The Hype

Like the insanity that was Barbarian, Weapons hooks you with a chilling premise: 17 children from the same Pennsylvania classroom wake in the dead of night, quietly leave their homes, and vanish without a trace. What unfolds is equal parts mystery and nightmare, with a nonlinear structure reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s 1990s classic Pulp Fiction. Judging by its strong opening weekend, Zach Cregger’s sophomore feature is already living up to the buzz.

While fans may always wonder what Pascal’s version of Archer would have looked like — especially in a year that already has him juggling multiple “dad” roles — his F-bomb rallying cry feels like a genuine endorsement. He’s just traded the lead role for a seat in the audience.

Weapons is now playing exclusively in theaters. Also, be sure to check out our schedule of upcoming horror movies that are headed to the 2026 movie schedule and a theater near you.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to the studio's penchant for releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The latest big screen adventure was The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which won at the box office upon its release. The quarter of leading actors did plenty of press for the blockbuster, and it turns out that there was some sandwich stealing between Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn.

The cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps convincingly formed a family unit for their roles, and their chemistry during the press tour was delightful. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, the subject of sandwiches was brought up. That's when Pascal offered a funny anecdote, where he'd go around stealing meals left out for Joseph Quinn. He shared:

Oops. Luckily these two actors seem to really like each other, because there are few things worse than stolen food. Now I have to wonder if Quinn will start getting club sandwiches from fans now that they know his penchant for the dish. I mean, he already had a strong following thanks to his time in Stranger Things.

Pascal and Quinn make up half of the titular team of heroes in The Fantastic Four, playing Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Johnny Storm/ Human Torch respectively. They were joined by Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm/The Thing. The four of them had great chemistry on screen, and it looks like that also extends off camera.

Fans waiting for years for The Fantastic Four join the MCU, sandwiches and all. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox finally opened up the doors for that, and they did so with a bang in First Steps. What's more, cast is already set to reprise their role in upcoming Marvel movies. Specifically, they were announced in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, so they'll be back on the big screen next December.

Pedro Pascal might be the internet's daddy, but this anecdote revealed that he's also an accidental food thief. But when perfect club sandwiches started appearing around him, what else was the Last Of Us star expected to do? I know I'd start chowing down myself.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is still in theaters now, and Avengers: Doomsday will arrive next December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Pedro Pascal’s certainly been keeping busy this year. In addition to starring in the 2025 movies Eddington, Materialists and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, this year has also seen him filming Avengers: Doomsday, which will come out at the end of 2026. While Doomsday as a whole is a ways off from wrapping principal photography, Pascal has reportedly finished his work on the upcoming Marvel movie, and now The Mandalorian’s lead actor is apparently lining up a new movie that involves some fellow Star Wars talent.

The latest update about Pedro Pascal’s career is that he’s in talks to star Searchlight Pictures’ Behemoth!, which comes from the mind of filmmaker Tony Gilroy. With a resume that includes writing the first four Bourne movies, State of Play and Nightcrawler, as well as directing Michael Clayton, Duplicity and The Bourne Legacy, Star Wars fans know Gilroy co-writing and directing the reshoots for Rogue One. He then went on to create the prequel series Andor, which ended its two-season run in May.

According to Deadline, “things are heading in the right direction” with Pedro Pascal coming aboard Behemoth!, which Tony Gilroy will write, direct and produce. Specific plot details are being kept secret, but Gilroy has previously said it will follow a cellist, whom I assume Pascal would play. Behemoth! will begin filming this fall, but a release date hasn’t been set yet.

It’s cool to see that these two men who worked in separate corners of the Star Wars franchise are gearing up to work together on this upcoming movie. Since The Mandalorian is set several years after Return of the Jedi, and Andor covers the last five years of Cassian Andor’s life leading up to Rogue One, there was no way Pascal and Gilroy were ever going to be able to collaborate in a galaxy far, far away. Now Behemoth! is here to bring them together, assuming Pascal is able to work out a deal with Searchlight.

This Behemoth! news follows on the heels of Pedro Pascal both earning an Emmy nomination for his performance as Joel Miller in The Last of Us and making his MCU debut as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The latter co-starred Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. This quartet will team up with the Avengers, New Avengers, X-Men and more when Avengers: Doomsday comes out on December 18, 2026.

Before that, Pedro Pascal will return to the Star Wars universe for The Mandalorian & Grogu, the franchise’s first theatrical movie since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. It arrives to the 2026 movies schedule on May 22, and we’ll let you know once Behemoth! is slotted on the cinematic calendar too.

Warning: spoilers for this MCU Phase 6 kickoff are in play.

Some of the best stories see the hero’s journey turned into something much darker. As The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2025 movies to a close, it also sets the stage for the upcoming Marvel movies of Phase 6 - and beyond. Which means Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are on the horizon, with Robert Downey Jr’s return as Doctor Doom promising a big bad for the ages.

Some people aren’t exactly thrilled with this casting, but I’m open to seeing how the former Iron Man star makes his big four-panel heel turn in 2026. You might not expect that, but part of my happiness comes from the parallels between Marvel Studios’ 2008 origin story and The Fantastic Four’s cinematic return. Let’s talk about why:

Reed Richards Perfectly Embodies Tony Stark's Guilty Genius

It figures that Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic patriarch would be the lighter mirror image to Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom. As we see throughout First Steps’ narrative, Reed Richards is conflicted about the fact that the space mission he and his family went on mutated them into their metahuman state. That’s the sort of guilt that Tony Stark has shouldered throughout the MCU, as both men expect themselves to think their way out of any scenario safely.

What really snapped this comparison together was the moment in The Fantastic Four: First Steps where the hero, also known as Mr. Fantastic, is called out by Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) for “baby proofing the world.” Hearing those words triggered memories of Avengers: Age of Ultron’s “suit of armor around the world” remarks that Tony Stark threw out.

Reed Tech Is The Stark Industries Of Earth 828

Quick question for you: who has a lavish New York tower that acts as a lab, headquarters, and living space to die for? If you answered, “the guy with the indispensable robotic assistant,” then you’ve proven my point.

Reed Richards also lives like Tony Stark, inventing a lot of the sorts of devices his Earth-616 counterpart (and his departed dad) would have dabbled in through decades of history. While it lacks the problematic arms dealing, ReedTech has the same sort of hold on Earth-828’s economy as Stark Industries does in its relative dimension.

Baby monitors, flying police cars, a ‘60s equivalent to hyperspace travel, and of course, teleportation are all part of the achievements The Fantastic Four’s alternate 1965 benefits from. Reed Richards and Tony Stark are practically corporate cousins at this point.

Johnny Storm Represents The More Casual Side Of Tony

Turning back to the more personality-based assessment of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, another strong parallel comes from Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm. The young heartthrob of the group, Johnny’s resemblance to Tony Stark’s mix of bravado, wisdom, and lady chasing is something we saw even before getting eyes on the full movie. You can thank the “Sunday Dinner” promo clip for that, which is shown below:

The entire family loves to “work the problem,” practically adopting the words “we’ll figure it out” as a motto. However, what pushes Johnny Storm over the line and into Tony territory is the fact that he tries to sacrifice himself to send Galactus (Ralph Ineson) into a wormhole intended to strand him.

Those of you with a Disney+ subscription who want to check my math, you can skip to the end of The Avengers, and compare that time Tony Stark tried to pull an Armageddon style sacrifice - but fell back to Earth in the nick of time.

The Fantastic Four Are Seemingly The First Superheroes Of Their Dimension

While the historical timeline in the MCU saw heroes such as the Eternals and Captain America pre-dating Iron Man’s big reveal, the release order saw Tony Stark building the foundation of this long-term juggernaut. Meanwhile, in Earth-828, The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to place these heroes as the first meta-humans in their home base.

How else would you expect repeated primetime TV specials on The Ted Gilbert Show, celebrating their arrival? Besides, of course, an easy source of exposition that allowed The Fantastic Four: First Steps to make some challenging cuts.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark may not have been the first hero in his timeline, but he did inspire Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to revive The Avengers Initiative. After sitting in a desk drawer for at least 13 years (per Captain Marvel’s chain of events), Tony did help initiate the first incarnation of Earth’s mightiest heroes.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps Opens MCU Phase 6, It Sets Up Massive Hype For An Evil Robert Downey Jr.

There very well may be more parallels I’ve overlooked in this comparison, but I think I’ve proven my point. Tony Stark and Marvel Studios’ legacy have been renewed through the first picture in MCU Phase 6. Over the course of the three times I’ve seen the film (so far), the point that drove this entire conversation revealed itself to me: Robert Downey Jr. is one hell of a choice for Doctor Doom.

As a James Bond fan, I can appreciate the “dark mirror” plot device, in which a hero is confronted by their opposite number. Audiences used to seeing Downey as the heroically flawed and in-control Tony Stark are going to be in for a surprise when seeing him play the Latverian figure that rejects everything Reed Richards stands for.

To bring it all home, consider this: Robert Downey Jr. is going to be playing a Marvel Comics character that could bring his Academy Award-winning turn in Oppenheimer into the MCU. J. Robert Oppenheimer had Lewis Strauss, and now Reed Richards has his Doctor Doom.

Think of what a man like that would be capable of with resources and superhuman powers. With that scenario in mind, feel free to revisit The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters now, paying close attention to what clues may be present in that Doom’d mid-credits scene.

While we’re all celebrating The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ path to victory, the 2025 movie release has helped (Doctor) Doom the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How else would you describe the fact that the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s Avengers: Doomsday role is that much closer?

Back in the world of reality, the brass at Marvel Studios is looking to keep its budgets in check, and apparently was able to do so with Pedro Pascal and company’s debut in their sandbox. Don’t expect that to last, as reports on veteran team members returning for Avengers: Doomsday indicate a very different picture; but for some solid reasons.

Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four Pay Day Rationale, Explained

Keep in mind, what we’re about to discuss is all based off of “insider” accounts and speculation. However, according to Variety, the reported reason The Last of Us' former leading man was able to help keep the numbers reasonable is because this adventure is considered his big leap from TV lead to the big screen player.

By that logic, one could probably apply the same thinking to The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn, as they too have found themselves as first time Marvel movie leads. Meanwhile, Vanessa Kirby theoretically could have had an advantage in her negotiations, considering she’s been in two Mission: Impossible movies, as well as Hobbs & Shaw.

This explains the recent stories about how X-Men’s upcoming casting strategy is one that’s focusing on relative unknowns, in the name of providing freshness and savings. Should this model hold up, and in light of First Steps’ fantastic opening weekend, one shouldn’t expect that thinking to hold up with Avengers: Doomsday.

Avengers: Doomsday Supposedly Means Big Bucks For Robert Downey Jr. And Chris Hemsworth

I’m reminded of a saying from another wildly successful comic book movie when looking at this next part of our story. After all, it was Heath Ledger’s Joker from The Dark Knight who once said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”

While founding Avengers Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth were surely being paid well for their efforts on 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, one shouldn’t expect that to just go away as a result of some time and distance in the MCU.

Superhero Hype can back that claim short of confirmation, as they’ve reported that the Iron Man star could be making “significantly more than $80 million” for both of Marvel’s cinematic splash-panel event pictures. Likewise, the original reporting cited above has Hemsworth’s Thor revival worthy of similar treatment, stating that both men “won’t be working at a discount.”

I’m sure if you added the value of Robert Downey Jr.’s Avengers: Doomsday perks into the equation, whatever the true number is would be even higher. However, after over a decade of connected universe storytelling (an an Oscar win in Team Downey’s corner), these reportedly big pay days for the founding team members sound fair and valid.

That being said, one can only hope that Pedro Pascal and the rest of the Fantastic Four crew will soon see such consideration in their future endeavors; especially with their own parts to play as part of Doomsday’s uber-stacked cast. We’ll see where that money went next Christmas, as December 18th will herald the day when the Doctor (Doom) is in theaters worldwide.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had some peaks and valleys in recent years, but it continues to release new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt the most anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will feature multiple teams of superheroes. After The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrived in theaters, we got an update about Pedro Pascal's role that might be a relief.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is super limited, as the studio has been keeping its cards close to the chest. Filming is underway, and rumors are swirling about what the Russo Brothers' movie might entail. There were rumors that Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards/ Mr. Fantastic was the lead character of Doomsday, Variety is refuting them. Instead, this new report claims that he plays an "integral" role, but isn't the "centerpiece" of the blockbuster. Color me intrigued.

While the Fantastic Four were confirmed in Doomsday's cast announcement, it sounds like Red Richards won't be leading The Avengers when that movie hits theaters next December. But given the mid-credits scene for The Fantastic Four that seemingly debuted Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, I have to assume that they will heavily factor into the story.

Pedro Pascal has been named the internet's daddy, and he's got tons of fans thanks to his acclaimed roles in The Last Of Us, The Mandalorian, and Game of Thrones. He's already crushing it as Reed Richards, but some fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order didn't want to see him leading The Avengers so soon after his debut.

As previously mentioned, multiple teams of superheroes are expected to factor into the action of Avengers: Doomsday. Aside from Earth's Mightiest Heroes, we'll also see the Thunderbolts aka the New Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. And with the multiverse in play, it seems like just about anything could happen in The Russo Brothers' next to Marvel projects.

The Thunderbolts+ credits scene showed the Fantastic Four's ship appearing in the main MCU timeline, which will presumably be the first of these team crossovers. First Steps was a strong first outing for the quartet of heroes (as well as the scene stealer H.E.R.B.I.E.). And I'm eager to see how this family unit ends up interacting with more scrappy groups like the New Avengers. I also can't wait to see Mister Fantastic and company reacting to the tech in the main timeline, after living in retro futuristic alternate universe.

Pedro Pascal and company are just starting their tenures in the MCU, but they've gotten off to a great start. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list. And Avengers: Doomsday will follow suit on December 18th, 2026.

Pedro Pascal has it all. He has a hand in several major franchises (including the Star Wars saga with his lead role on The Mandalorian and HBO’s series adaptation of the video game, The Last of Us), a devoted fan base representing multiple generations, and some pretty epic lines of dialogue under his belt. Let’s take a dive into some of the coolest things the MCU’s Mr. Fantastic actor has said throughout his celebrated career.

"I Can Bring You In Warm, Or I Can Bring You In Cold" - The Mandalorian

I was immediately sold on Pedro Pascal's cosmic bounty hunter, Din Djarin, in the hit Disney+ original TV show, The Mandalorian, as soon as he uttered these chilling words to his bounty in the opening moments of the premiere episode of the Star Wars spinoff.

"Sometimes You Gotta Do Bad Things To Catch Bad People" - Narcos

Pedro Pascal starred in the fact-based Netflix original crime drama, Narcos, as DEA agent Javier Peña. With this quote, he. demonstrate the lengths that someone in law enforcement sometimes must go to in the effort of making an arrest, especially if the perpetrator is a criminal as notorious and untouchable as Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura).

"Because I Love You. In A Way You, You Can't Understand. Maybe You Never Will. But If That Day Should Come, If You Should Ever Have One Of Your Own, Well, Then, I Hope You Do A Little Better Than Me" - The Last Of Us

In one of the most heartbreaking episodes of The Last of Us, Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) finally reveals to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) that he saved her from the Fireflies because making a cure out of her immunity would have killed her. She finds this unforgivably selfish, but his explanation for why he chose her over the remaining human race, echoing something his father told him in his youth, hit me harder than nearly anything I have seen on the post-apocalyptic HBO series.

"After I Turn Sad, I Grow Angry" - Game Of Thrones

Widely considered to be Pedro Pascal's Hollywood breakthrough, including by the actor himself in a video for GQ, is when he joined the Game of Thrones cast as Oberyn Martell in the fantasy series' fourth season. The sharp-tongued prince is noted for having a complex range of emotions, as he sums up quite efficiently with this brief collection of words.

"My Son Don't Have ADD! He Just Like To Jump!" - Saturday Night Live

Pedro Pascal made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live in an episode that featured one of the most popular bits from the celebrated sketch comedy TV show's 48th season. In it, he plays the eponymous, Spanish-speaking "Protective Mom" of Louis (Marcello Hernandez), who does not approve of his new, white girlfriend, Britney (Chloe Fineman), and insists to her that her son does not need to take ADD medication.

"When You Grow Up Without Something You... End Up Spending A Lot Of Time Thinking About It" - The Wild Robot

Pedro Pascal lent his voice to the instant classic family film, The Wild Robot, in the heart-stealing role of Fink the Fox, who becomes an unlikely ally to the lost, A.I.-powered being, Roz (Lupita Nyong'o). In one scene, he explains to his new mechanical friend the concept of love, adding that he knows a lot about it because he never received it in his youth.

"I Cried Through The Entire Thing. It Made Me Want To Be A Better Man" - The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent

In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Pedro Pascal stars opposite Nicolas Cage, playing a wildly exaggerated version of himself, as the wealthy Javi Gutiérrez, who wants nothing more than to see the Face/Off star visit his home for his birthday. The Oscar winner and billionaire end up really hitting it off and bond over their love of movies like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Paddington 2, the latter of which Javi convinces Cage to watch by describing it as life-changing.

"I Don't Know If You Like Me Or If You Just Like The Places I Take You" - Materialists

In writer and director Seline Song's 2025 A24 movie, Materialists, Pedro Pascal stars as Harry, a wealthy New Yorker courting Dakota Johnson's matchmaker, Lucy, while uncertain if she reciprocates his affection.

"Life Is Good! But It Can Be Better" - Wonder Woman 1984

In Wonder Woman 1984, Pedro Pascal plays multi-millionaire and media mogul Maxwell Lord, who is constantly asked by those he meets to repeat his famous catchphrase, which he always happily obliges. Fun fact: Patty Jenkins' 2020 sequel marked the actor's second time starring in an adaptation of the DC comic after appearing in a failed pilot for a Wonder Woman TV series from the mid-2000s.

"This Is The Way" - The Mandalorian

As a fan of The Mandalorian, I never tire of hearing Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin utter what is not just a simple catchphrase, but an expression of his devotion to his creed.

"The Next Thing I Know, I'm FaceTiming With A Six-Year-Old Who Has No Idea Who I Am Because My Character Wears A Mask For The Entire Show" - Saturday Night Live

In the opening monologue of his SNL debut, Pedro Pascal described a time when a fan stopped him and asked if he could say hello to his son, who is a fan of The Mandalorian. Unfortunately, he did not have Din Djarin's helmet and armor with him, so the encounter, via video chat, was seemingly not quite what the child might have hoped for.

"Well, I Feel A Little Lightheaded. Maybe If You Give Me A 60-lb Pack And I Slung A Buddy Over My Shoulder, I Can Make It" - Brothers & Sisters

One of Pedro Pascal's early TV roles was a guest spot on ABC's Brothers & Sisters as a homeless former Marine named Zack. In addition to poverty, he is also struggling to reintegrate himself into society, which he cheekily hints at after paramedic and fellow war veteran Justin Walker (Dave Annable) asks if he can walk to the ambulance by himself.

"Years ago, You Asked Me What Two Men Could Do Living Together On A Ranch. I'll Answer You Now. They Can Look After One Another, Protect Each Other. They Can Keep Each Other Company" - Strange Way Of Life

Pedro Pascal is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and has even played a few members of the community, such as Silva in writer and director Pedro Almodóvar's 30-minute Western, Strange Way of Life. He portrays the role opposite Ethan Hawke as his former lover, Jake, to whom he provides a short, sweet summation of how a romantic relationship between two men is really no different from a relationship between a man and a woman.

"Wherever I Go, He Goes" - The Mandalorian

For all of its exciting action sequences and intriguing additions to Star Wars lore, the heart and soul of The Mandalorian and the one thing that keeps fans invested in the series is the impenetrable bond between Din Djarin and his foundling, Grogu, who was referred to as "Baby Yoda" early on.

"If You Love Someone, You Can Always See Their Face" - The Last Of Us

Some fans of The Last of Us believe that Joel goes too far in the Season 2 episode in which he kills the bitten Eugene (Joe Pantoliano), depriving him of the chance to see his wife once more, no matter how hard he pleads. I will give Pedro Pascal's character some credit, though, for the way he reminds the desperate man that he can still see Gail (Catherine O'Hara) right there and then if his love for her is strong enough.

"The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend, Until He Becomes My Enemy Again. When That Happens, God Help Them" - Narcos

Here, Pedro Pascal's Narcos character, Javier Peña, expresses his personal variation on a seminal Sanskrit saying.

"Why Do You Make Sparkly, Fast, Romantic Montages Of Me Every Single Day?" - Saturday Night Live

When Pedro Pascal made his SNL hosting debut, the show included a sketch poking fun at his reputation as "the internet's daddy." In the bit, he plays a teacher presenting a school assembly about the rules of technology use on campus, during which he takes the opportunity to address weird "fancams" his students have made of him on TikTok.

"I Like Those Odds" - The Mandalorian

This quote from The Mandalorian is iconic for a couple of different reasons. On one hand, it shows that Din Djarin is a warrior of calculated skill, and on the other, it is the inverse of one of the most famous quotes from Harrison Ford's Star Wars character, Han Solo, which is, "Never tell me the odds."

"Size Doesn't Matter When You're Flat On Your Back" - Game Of Thrones

While Oberyn Martell's unbridled confidence is one of the reasons Game of Thrones fans fell in love with Pedro Pascal's character, it would also seal his downfall as one of the last things he said to The Mountain before the behemoth (played by three different actors) savagely murdered the prince.

"Wizard" - The Book Of Boba Fett

In an episode of The Book of Boba Fett that could more accurately be described as a Mandalorian bonus episode, Din Djarin uses this positive slang term, originating from 1999's Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, to express his satisfaction with his new ship, an N-1 Starfighter built by Peli Motto (Amy Sedaris).

"If You Say 'Look For The Light,' I Will Break Your Jaw" - The Last Of Us

In the first episode of The Last Of Us, we learn the Fireflies' hopeful slogan, "When you're lost in the darkness, look for the light," which Joel Miller has no patience for at this time.

"You Can't Keep Your Own Office Going, But You're Going To Run Mine. Leave You Mess Here And Start A Whole New One" - Eddington

In one of the best scenes from writer and director Ari Aster's satirical COVID-19-era Western, Eddington, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), the mayor of the fictional eponymous town, confronts the local sheriff, Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), about his recently announced mayoral campaign.

"What Good Is Being The King If Nobody Knows It?" - Narcos

With this Narcos quote, Pedro Pascal's Javier Peña points out a harsh truth that even the most powerful criminals are forced to contend with.

"It Is Rare To Meet A Lannister Who Shares My Enthusiasm For Dead Lannisters" - Game Of Thrones

This Game of Thrones quote is a testament to Oberyn Martell's passionately vengeful motivation against the Lannisters for the justice committed against his sister.

"I Don't Know. All I Know Is That When I Wake Up, I Know I've Lost Something" - The Last Of Us

No person goes a single night without dreaming, but not everybody remembers their dreams, despite still waking up with their emotional remnants. Joel Miller hints at being this kind of person in a The Last of Us episode in which his younger brother, Tommy (Gabriel Luna), asks what he dreams about. His answer also suggests that the tragic death of his daughter, Sarah (Nico Parker), haunts his subconscious.

"Are You A Jedi?" - The Mandalorian

Din Djarin's response to meeting Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian has gone down in history as one of the series' most unintentionally hilarious lines.

"Storytelling Is Lying-Adjacent, And I Lie For A Living. Watch And Learn" - The Wild Robot

In The Wild Robot, Fink the Fox uses his talent for dishonesty to teach Roz how to tell Brightbill a bedtime story.

"I Have 34 First Cousins... I Know They're Proud Because They Give My Phone Number To Every Single Person They Meet" - Saturday Night Live

Pedro Pascal did not shy away from poking fun at his extensive family from his home country of Chile, adding that he gets calls and texts on a daily basis asking to wish fans a happy birthday, questions about Grogu, etc.

"I Feel Like A Tornado In A Trailer Park" - Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Even though this line from 2017's Kingsman: The Golden Circle is kinda lifted from Pixar's Cars, Pedro Pascal makes it his own with the way he delivers it as Southern-fried secret agent, Whiskey.

"There’s No Way Out, Carlitos. You’re Going To Disneyland" - Narcos

Something funny about this Javier Peña quote from Narcos that may or may not be intentional is that Pablo Escobar once perfectly blended in with the crowds at Walt Disney World while paying the theme park a visit with his family in the early 1980s, according to Newsweek.

"When It Comes To War, I Fight For Dorne. When It Comes To Love, I Don't Choose Sides" - Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones' Oberyn Martell is among the LGBTQIA+ characters whom Pedro Pascal has played. The character explains here that he feels romantic feelings for both men and women.

"Because He Was Outstanding In His Field" - The Last Of Us

One of the few comparatively lighthearted episodes from the first season of The Last of Us sees Ellie passing the time by reading from a book of childish puns. Here, Joel provides the punchline to the setup, "Why did the scarecrow get an award?"

If you're a comic book fan, it's really impossible nowadays not to be happy with the way that costumes are brought to life on screen, as filmmakers have fully embraced designs from the source material and made them look awesome... but it can also be said that they don't look terrifically comfortable. With all due respect to those who make them, they often appear tight, restrictive and claustrophobic (particularly those with masks) and one feels a touch of sympathy for the performers who have to act within their confines. The suits worn by the stars of Fantastic Four: First Steps are an exception, however.

The blue-and-white retrofuturistic fits donned by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn in the new Marvel Cinematic Universe film look downright comfy (Ebon Moss-Bachrach being on the outside looking in given that The Thing is brought to life via performance capture), and as you can see in the video up top, CinemaBlend's Jeff McCobb asked them about the costumes during the movie's recent Los Angeles press day. Jeff compared the suits to pajamas, and Pascal responded saying that was a more apt description of their look than their feel – but he did acknowledge that there are certainly worse directions that the production could have taken:

Pedro Pascal surely knows a thing or two about bulky costumes, having spent time in a Mandalorian armor and helmet for his role in the Star Wars universe. In Fantastic Four: First Steps, his only "headgear" are the delicate silver wingtips on the side of his head, and instead of a bulky chest plate, he has what almost looks like a sweater at first glance.

Joseph Quinn, who plays the speedy Human Torch, also had some nice things to share about his super suit, particularly complementing the mobility that he was allowed. There's no armor or even a cape, and he found it didn't hold back his physicality:

In Fantastic Four: First Steps, the titular team lives in their own universe apart from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, so they don't really get to compare suit designs with other heroes in the movie – but their crossover opportunity is coming, and it's coming soon. While Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach have been spending recent weeks traveling the world promoting the blockbuster centering on Marvel's First Family, they've also been busy in recent months as part of the expansive ensemble cast in Avengers: Doomsday.

How are the other stars of the MCU responding to the comfy look of the Fantastic Four? Per Pascal,

Audiences everywhere can see that special shade of light blue in action right now, as Fantastic Four: First Steps is playing in theaters everywhere and just dominated the competition at the weekend box office in its debut. Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the coming days for not only more stories from our interviews with the cast and director Matt Shakman, but also plenty of editorial coverage examining the movie's place in the current superhero landscape.

Ever since the NSFW Dune: 2 popcorn bucket took the internet by storm last year, special containers for this movie theater snack staple have been more abundant. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the latest 2025 movie to get in on the popcorn bucket action, and I’m not just talking about the $80 Galactus one. Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic also got his own popcorn bucket, and The Mandalorian actor and his co-stars from the new Marvel movie had some dirty thoughts upon seeing it.

Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn bore witness to the glory of the Mister Fantastic popcorn bucket when Jimmy Kimmel Live! guest host Alan Cumming presented it to him. Cumming, who will co-star with these four when he reprises Nightcrawler in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, then pointed out how when positioned in a certain way, this popcorn bucket can also look NSFW:

At first glance, there’s nothing that looks particularly sexual about this popcorn bucket. It’s just Mister Fantastic using his stretching ability to hold what is, from his perspective, a giant popcorn bucket. But then Alan Cumming rotated the bucket until it looked like Reed Richards has wrapped his extendable penis around the bucket. As Pedro Pascal was laughing upon seeing the bucket for the first time, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Ben Grimm/The Thing, dropped this A+ comment:

Well done, sir! Well done. After getting the NSFW jokes out of the way, Alan Cumming passed the popcorn bucket to Vanessa Kirby, who’s playing Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman. Pedro Pascal got a kick out the little version of his character, especially how it serves as the bucket’s handle. And while Kirby shared some of the popcorn with Joseph Quinn, a.k.a. Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, she decided to keep the popcorn bucket in her possession, which Cumming quipped she was allowed to do because she’s pregnant.

If you’d like to get your own Mister Fantastic popcorn bucket, it’ll cost you $39.99 at your nearest Cinemark theater. Over at Regal Cinemas, you’ll have the option of buying a Fantasticar popcorn bucket for $56.95. You can also find the Galactus popcorn bucket at both theater chains, as well as AMC.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters, with the aforementioned actors being joined by Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner and Paul Walter Hauser, among others. It'll be fine for kids to eat popcorn from the Mister Fantastic bucket as they’re watching Marvel’s First Family’s return to the big screen, but maybe don’t take a cue from Ebon Moss-Bachrach and refer to it as the “reach around” in front of them.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe can't stop, won't stop releasing new content, either in theaters or streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which this theaters this weekend. We'll be introduced to the titular team of heroes, including Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards. And the actor (who is called the internet's Daddy) recently mused about how his character might interact with fellow Marvel genius Tony Stark.

What we know about The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been fairly limited, as the studio guards the movie's contents ahead of its release. The quartet of heroes were confirmed in Avengers: Doomsday's cast list, so fans are wondering what it'll be like when they're paired with other characters. In a conversation with ComicBook, Pascal asked how Mister Fantastic and Iron Man's relationship might be like, offering:

Honestly, I'm sold. While Tony Stark is dead, it's fun to imagine these two geniuses bouncing ideas off each other in a future superhero movie. Although per Pascal's comments, he thinks that Reed Richards would be amused and watching the bravado of Iron Man on full display. Now I've got FOMO about what could have been!

RDJ's Tony Stark was known for his quick wit and even quicker mouth, with Iron Man having some of the funniest MCU lines ever. It sounds like while Reed Richards is wildly intelligent, he's more reserved personality. Luckily fans won't have to wait too much longer, as First Steps is just days away from its release. Bring on the Fantastic Four.

Of course, Pascal and RDJ are working together currently for Avengers: Doomsday, so we'll see them sharing the screen in a MCU project soon. But rather than playing Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.'s return to Marvel will see him playing the villainous Doctor Doom.

Doctor Doom is a villain typically associated with The Fantastic Four, so fans are expecting him and Reed Richards to get plenty of scenes together when Doomsday hits theaters in December of 2026. It seems like The Fantastic Four are going to be a huge presence in the MCU as a whole.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will recall how this team of heroes was noticeably missing throughout the early stage of the MCU. But Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox finally opened the doors for that to happen, so the hype is real around First Steps.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th as part of the 2025 movie release list, and Avengers: Doomsday will follow suit December 18th 2026. Lucky for us, both of those projects will feature Pedro Pascal.

One of the biggest movies to kick off Marvel’s Phase Six is the MCU’s newest movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps. Based on the FF trailer, the 2025 movie release not only stands apart due to its stellar casting, Galactus, and H.E.R.B.I.E., but also for taking place in the 1960s. Considering the Fantastic Four franchise is having a retro makeover in its third reboot, Marvel stars have rocked the film’s world premiere with futuristic retro looks that I’m completely obsessed with.

Having Fantastic Four: First Steps set in an alternate futuristic 1960s might be one of the coolest concepts Marvel has thought of. The comic-specific reasons for taking place in this retro era are a big nod to Marvel creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who brought to us the MCU’s First Family. Not to mention, the retro-future concept would bring something new to the upcoming Marvel movie and a resurgence of the ‘60s.

Method dressing is the trendiest look to let the cameras know what movie premiere they’re attending. From Barbie’s Margot Robbie starting the red carpet trend to Superman’s Rachel Brosnahan’s newspaper dress, actors are turning their glamorous outfits into movie teasers.

With Fantastic Four: First Steps having a futuristic 1960s glow, Marvel fans made sure to do the same thing at the world premiere of the superhero flick. Check out Vanessa Kirby looking beautiful in blue below:

Vanessa Kirby already proved to us that blue was her color with her out-of-this-world dress at Fantastic Four’s UK Launch event. But the actress’s maternity-style mesh dress is a whole other level of gorgeous. Designed by Sarah Burton, Kirby was showcasing Sue Storm’s signature blue attire with her high-neck, long-sleeved dress featuring a cute ruffled hem at the bottom. The Oscar nominee’s elegant, classy attire sure isn’t making her invisible on the red carpet.

Pedro Pascal kept it classy himself, looking like he stepped out of a black-and-white movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Look at the leading man busting out in the white jacket and dapper polka-dotted scarf:

Holding up a peace sign, Pedro Pascal knows how to make a red carpet entrance. Fashioning Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann, The Last of Us actor was wearing a white-collared jacket with black trousers. However, you can’t argue that Pascal’s standout features are his red flower pin and his black-and-white polka-dotted scarf, which brought playfulness and personality to his look.

Last but not least, there’s another Marvel star who made her way to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion— Doctor Strange 2’s Xochitl Gomez! Take a look at the Los Angeles native’s nostalgic ensemble that looks straight out of a ‘60s fashion magazine:

Dressed head to toe in white, Xochitl Gomez is totally chic with a two-piece ensemble that consists of a collared top with a center cut-out and a matching mini skirt. She’s also completing her look rocking those platform heels and high hair assembled with a thick headband you’d normally see in that era. Now, that’s how you represent The Swinging Sixties.

If you can't tell already, I'm very obsessed with these Fantastic Four futuristic retro premiere outfits. You almost wish people dressed like this all the time. As first screening reactions had audiences loving the ‘60s aesthetics, you have the chance to time-travel to that era as well when the new superhero movie hits theaters on July 25th.

Right now, as you read this, one of the upcoming Marvel movies that will bring us a ginormous and star-studded cast is in production, as everyone set for the highly-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday is hard at work. Some of those stars are basically pulling double MCU duty right now, because there’s some cast overlap with another fast-approaching blockbuster, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The main cast from the 2025 movie is currently promoting the debut of Marvel’s First Family, and while I loved hearing that star Ebon Moss-Bachrach was excited to work with Robert Downey Jr., I was totally unprepared for Pedro Pascal’s sick burn after that announcement.

How Pedro Pascal Responded When Ebon Moss-Bachrach Said He Was Excited To Work With Robert Downey Jr.

Though I suspect that filming a movie (even one as action-packed as an entry among the Marvel movies in order like Avengers: Doomsday) isn’t quite as thrilling as it would at first appear to be, one thing that must be pretty cool is being able to work with others whose work you’ve admired for a long time. This is the case for MCU double-dipper Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who is working on his third appearance by being one of the many stars in the upcoming superhero film.

When speaking with SensaCine Latinoamérica recently, Moss-Bachrach and his fellow Fantastic Four members (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn) were asked who they were most excited to work with on Doomsday, leading to this quick exchange between The Bear Emmy winner and franchise king, Pascal:

• Moss-Bachrah: I was excited to work with Robert Downey Jr. I’ve loved him for so long; he’s one of my favorite actors. What a brilliant actor. Come at me!
• Pascal: [smiling] Too bad you don’t have any scenes with him.

Whoa, Pedro! We all just saw the fourth hottest man in Hollywood history tearing up during a FF launch event in Sydney while this same co-star was talking about how “grateful” he was to his castmates and this movie, which led to even more love from his fans. Clearly, though, Mr. Pascal was feeling a lot saucier during this interview, because I never could have guessed he’d offer up such a retort. I suppose his The Last of Us co-star Bella Ramsey is correct, there really is a lot more to Pascal than just being the internet’s “Daddy”! You can see the full interview, below, with this portion starting at around 5:53 in the video:

As you can see, the comfortably-costumed The Thing actor didn’t exactly take his co-star’s words lying down, as he quickly replied, “Or do I?” to the snarky comment. The names that were announced for Doomsday in March added plenty of surprises to the news that Downey Jr. would not only return to the MCU after his franchise-starting role as Tony Stark/Iron Man had long ended, but play the movie’s Big Bad, Doctor Doom.

Along with the New Avengers actors featured in Thunderbolts*, we’ll also see stars like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Simu Liu, Winston Duke, Tom Hiddleston and former X-Men movies actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden and several others.

We all know that with Marvel secrecy being the way it is, we’ll have to wait until much closer to the release of Doomsday to see exactly which new Marvel characters get to interact with our returning favorites. So, no spoilers, Pedro!

Ari Aster, the director behind some of the best A24 movies like Midsommar and Hereditary, is back with a new film on the 2025 movie calendar. Eddington, which hits theaters on July 18, is a step away from horror, as Aster tackles the neo-Western genre. People had a lot of thoughts about Beau Is Afraid, Aster’s last film, and it sounds like Eddington is equally divisive.

Eddington reunites Ari Aster with Beau Is Afraid star Joaquin Phoenix, who plays small-town sheriff Joe Cross in this tense 2020-era dark comedy. Pedro Pascal co-stars as Mayor Ted Garcia, and they’ll be joined in the upcoming A24 movie by Emma Stone, Austin Butler and Luke Grimes. David Ehrlich of IndieWire gives it an A-, praising the director for his exploration of the pandemic as the moment that forever tore a hole in the fabric of American society. He says:

Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press gives the movie 2 stars out of 4, writing that no side is spared as the town spirals into chaos and gruesome violence over mask mandates, conspiracy theories and TikTok trends. Revisiting 2020 again so soon in such a way just might break your brain, Bahr says, writing:

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment says Ari Aster’s Eddington is sure to trigger certain emotions in the audience, but is also quite funny, playing up comedic tension to balance the more violent portions of the movie. Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal are excellent, Neuwirth says, continuing:

Travis Hopsin of Punch Drunk Critics says the fear surrounding the pandemic, Black Lives Matter and the George Floyd protests that’s depicted in Eddington is “designed to enrage us,” but the most terrifying part of Ari Aster’s film is how accurate it is. The critic says:

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting gives Eddington 2 out of 5 skulls, however, calling it “empty provocation.” Ari Aster gets too ambitious, the critic says, trying to recapture every point of contention from 2020, which makes the movie increasingly convoluted over time. It’s well-directed, and Joaquin Phoenix’s performance is “riveting,” but overall, Navarro finds it lacking:

It sounds like Ari Aster is dealing with some pretty heavy material from a time we remember all too well and that we haven’t exactly gotten past as a society. If you want to go on this ride with Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and the rest, Eddington will be available to catch on the big screen starting Friday, July 17.

The Emmy nominations are out, and after watching all the nominated performances for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series on the 2025 television schedule, I’m completely torn as to who I think should win. Pedro Pascal, Sterling K. Brown, Noah Wyle, Gary Oldman, and Adam Scott all put in amazing turns in amazing shows. How to pick just one? I don’t know if I can, but by the end of this story, I hope to have some clarity.

Pedro Pascal For The Last Of Us

Pedro Pascal may indeed be the “internet’s daddy,” and a big reason why is his role as Joel in The Last of Us. There is one more season for The Last of Us, but given Joel's limited role in Season 2 (IYKYK), this may be Pascal's final shot at winning an Emmy for this particular role. If I'm honest, I think he deserves this award more for Season 1 of The Last of Us, as his role was much bigger, of course. However, since every scene he's a part of in Season 2 has so much emotional weight, it's not like he's undeserving now.

The last few years have been amazing for Pascal and his fans. He also has Fantastic Four: First Steps coming out this month, and The Mandalorian and Grogu on the 2026 movie schedule. For Pascal to win an Emmy for one of the best video game adaptations ever would be a crowning achievement. An achievement he well deserves. But he’s hardly alone in this category.

Adam Scott For Severance

Apple TV+ has put out some amazing movies and TV shows in the last few years and at the top of that list has to be Severance. The Emmys have certainly recognized that with an amazing 27 nominations in 2025, leading all shows. Adam Scott, who plays Mark S., leads a fantastic cast that includes fellow nominees Britt Lower, John Turturro, Tramell Tillman, and Patricia Arquette.

I do think, as amazing as Severance is and as fantastic as Scott is, he may be the longshot in this category, which goes to show just how loaded it is. I won’t be surprised by anything when the Emmy is announced on September 14th, but still, if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t be betting on Scott. He’ll surely be nominated again after Season 3 of Severance.

Noah Wyle For The Pitt

HBO Max's fantastic medical drama The Pitt was at first a tough watch for me, at first. It took me a couple of restarts to finally get into it. That’s not because I thought it was bad, in fact, it was quite the opposite, it was so good–and so real–that I had to turn it off. It was literally freaking me out by how real it felt.

The show’s star, Noah Wyle, has five Emmy nominations to his name from his days on that other medical drama he once starred in, ER, but honestly, he hit a new level of performance with The Pitt. Though he never won for ER, and he might not win here, given the competition, his performance is riveting, heartfelt, and most importantly, real.

Sterling K. Brown For Paradise

Hulu’s Paradise is the brainchild of Dan Fogelman, who is also responsible for a little show called This Is Us, for which Sterling K. Brown was nominated for five Emmys in this same category and won the award in 2017 after Season 1. Brown and Fogelman teamed up again for Paradise, and the outcome, unsurprisingly, was another fantastic season of television and a slew of Emmy nominations.

Brown brings his trademark emotional depth to a character, Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins, who might have been two-dimensional in anyone but Brown and Fogelman’s hands. On the surface, the show is a science fiction whodunit, but with Brown leading the amazing cast, it’s so much more than that. A win here would be Brown’s fourth Emmy (he also won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and Best Narrator for Lincoln: Divided We Stand), so it’s never a surprise to see him on the stage accepting an award for acting excellence.

Gary Oldman For Slow Horses

Finally, we come to what is actually my personal favorite. Slow Horses, which you can stream with an Apple TV+ subscription, has been among the best shows on streaming for four seasons now (with a fifth right around the corner). Gary Oldman, who plays the crusty, smelly, chain-smoking, washed-up spy Jackson Lamb in the thriller, has been outstanding for all of those seasons.

This is only Oldman’s second nomination for Slow Horses, which almost seems criminal. The Oscar winner has never won an Emmy, and while I would be happy to see any of these actors win, I’m quietly rooting for Oldman, because I really love the show, and his performance is so good, I can smell his character through the screen–and I mean that in the best way.

Who Will Win Is Anyone’s Guess

This is the Emmys, so of course there are always going to be five worthy Emmy nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series, but this year just feels different to me. It seems especially hard to predict a winner. While I’m personally rooting for Oldman, as I said, I don’t know that he’ll take it home, and really, nothing would surprise me here.

I’ve been sitting here for almost a day thinking about this, and still have no clue who will win. All five actors put in deserving performances in excellent (and very popular) shows. Even though I said Adam Scott is maybe the longshot, the more I think about Severance and its dozens of nominations, the more I change my mind about that. That’s where we are with this category. I go back and forth between all five. I can’t wait to tune in to CBS in September to find out who wins.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps' July 24 release is getting closer and closer. So, as the new Fantastic Four cast goes on a press tour together for the upcoming superhero movie, I imagine their bond has strengthened. Pedro Pascal and his co-stars seemed to prove that, as he got emotional during a Fantastic Four event, and now the internet can’t get over it.

At the Fantastic Four Launch Event in Sydney, Australia, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays The Thing, spoke genuinely about being “grateful” for his co-stars and this upcoming Marvel movie. In response to those heartfelt words, Pedro Pascal had an emotional reaction, as you can see below:

You gotta love a man who isn’t afraid to show his emotions. Other than seeing Pedro Pascal shed sweet tears over The Bear actor's kind words, I also loved seeing Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn literally reaching out to the Last of Us actor as soon as they noticed him wiping his tears. It shows how, through their work together, they all became connected and created a family that's possibly just as strong as the one they portray.

The cast of the 2025 movie release wasn’t the only ones showing love for a teary-eyed Pedro Pascal. Instagram users felt the need to “protect the man at all costs” with their supportive comments:

• Protect that man at all cost 🥹❤️- @kimberleyvonv
• Nothing sexier than a sensitive man- @giunico95
• Love this family😭🩵💙🩵💙- @salmashofi96
• Fantastic they started a chain, now im crying too 🥲🥲- @i4mt0ni5t4rk
• What is it that when Men cry, we all cry❤️- @skys.grandma

It’s evident through his interviews, like this one, and his performances that Pedro Pascal is a sensitive soul. For example, when he played Joel in The Last of Us, his vulnerable and heartbreaking Season 2 moments brought tears to the eyes of many fans. Whether it was his surprise cameo scene after his character’s tragic scene or seeing his eyes watery after telling Ellie he loves her, Pascal’s performance was worthy of his 2025 Emmy nomination.

Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four character, Reed, will also have to protect his family and new baby against Galactus in First Steps. With stakes being so high for the flexible superhero, I can imagine him making us cry once again with the warm, heartfelt moments he’s sure to have with his superhero team.

Outside of his work on screen, the four Fantastic Four actors look like they’ve established a true bond with each other. At Comic-Con, Pedro Pascal found himself holding Vanessa Kirby’s hand to better tackle his anxiety. The quartet of actors also made sure to give Ebon Moss-Bachrach a sweet and tear-jerking present before his Emmy win. And we can’t forget the Materialists actor telling Vanity Fair about the “talented fuckers” he worked with on this new MCU flick. Their off-screen chemistry is truly off-the-charts powerful, so, yes, I want to protect them at all costs.

Seeing Pedro Pascal getting emotional at a Fantastic Four event can have a contagious effect on those watching. Fortunately, the Emmy nominee won’t have to worry about never seeing his MCU family again, as they are all part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast. Then, hopefully, the success of the Fantastic Four franchise will lead to more movies of The First Family, because I need more sweet and emotional moments like this both on and off screen.

The MCU is ready to deliver arguably its most anticipated release in years with Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which should serve as a mighty powerful complement to the kryptonite-avoiding box-office performance from James Gunn’s Superman. Much about the ‘60s throwback adventure is still cloaked in mystery, although the increasing number of trailers and TV spots are making the narrative slightly more clear in regards to the movie’s gigantic still-unseen villain Galactus and his overarching plans to...destroy…something...probably.

I should always be careful what I wish for, though, as Marvel Studios’ latest sneak peek at the superhero saga seems to reveal exactly what Galactus is looking for. While I'm still confident this movie will be gigantic and amazing, the antagonist's threatening request is making me rethink how genuinely joyful this experience is going to be.

Reed Richards Reveals Galactus' Extremely Problematic Demand

The latest Fantastic Four clip takes place mostly within the press conference that's been at the heart of the promotional campaign since the early days, with Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards addressing reporters' questions. He stuns everyone by admitting that the team did not yet take down Galactus as others seemed to believe they did.

Despite Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm sounding confident that they would eventually be successful, Reed reveals the key reason why they weren't able to appease the impossibly large behemoth, saying:

Aw, hell no, Galactus. You can't just be popping up on somebody's planet, finding out through probably sketchy and disgusting means that Sus Storm was pregnant and had a baby, and then taking it upon yourself to set up a premeditated kidnapping. There's villainy, and then there's villainy, you know what I mean?

One doesn't need to be a parent to feel a twinge of discomfort upon learning that a Marvel baddie's big plot involves taking away someone else's child. But I am a parent, and while I don't usually take issue with movie plots that revolve around such subject matter, I'm particularly affected by the idea of potentially avoiding global devastation by sacrificing one's offspring. Suffice to say, I understand why Reed and Sue weren't exactly putting on a "Giving Away Our New Son" ticker-tape parade.

Why Would A Being As Powerful As Galactus Want The Infant Franklin Richards?

While the footage doesn't make it extremely clear exactly what Galactus is planning to do with the ittiest-bittiest Fantastic Four character, Franklin Richards' comic book history is a good place to seek out info. Franklin is one of the most powerful youths in all of Marvel Comics, with extremely powerful telekinetic powers and a keen grasp of manipulating and projecting energy.

Among his most unique talents, however, is the ability to create pocket dimensions and entire multiverses out of nothing, and that set of special skills lines up quite nicely with Galactus' most destructive hobby: eating planets. To devour entire worlds, one obviously requires a buffet befitting of such an appetite, and Franklin Richards could technically offer the villain an endless supply of sustenance that could easily change the course of upcoming Marvel movies, depending on how successful such ploys are.

Of course, it's worth noting here that Galactus traditionally isn't played up as being inherently evil or nefarious in his actions. If he shows up to eat Earth after his silver-surfing herald tells him it's a worthy meal, it doesn't mean he's pissed off at anyone on the planet. He's just hungry. It'd be like getting mad at a plate of chicken tenders.

Which almost makes it more disturbing, thinking about the massive entity asking the Richards to hand over their child without malice in his voice, but rather a longing or a need. That's just creepy.

Check out the clip below to get another glimpse of just how impossible big Galactus is.

Will Marvel's first family give up their firstborn child in order to save the Earth and everyone on it? Or will Franklin's powers come into play in a way that sets up the Richards' official arrival in MCU continuity?

Find out when The Fantastic Four: First Step cracks open the 2025 movie schedule and stretches into theaters on July 25.

A great deal has been made about Pedro Pascal and his status as the internet’s “daddy.” This isn’t just because he tends to play father figures in shows like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. It’s also because a lot of folks on social media agree that the actor is super hot. A recent poll spelled things out even more clearly, naming Pascal the fourth hottest man ever, and, of course, he had a fantastic reaction.

To be clear, the poll, published in Harper’s Bazaar, doesn’t simply name Pedro Pascal the fourth hottest man in Hollywood today. He's the fourth hottest man of all time. Metro Entertainment caught up with Pascal on the current Fantastic Four: First Steps press tour and informed him of the honor. At first, he seemed a little upset that he was only ranked fourth until he learned the top spot belonged to James Dean. The Eddington actor said…

Yeah, it’s sort of hard to complain that you’re only the fourth hottest guy ever when you’re competing with the likes of James Dean. Dean's impact on Hollywood and his sex symbol status have no parallel. The other two names on the list ahead of Pedro Pascal are Tupac Shakur and Lenny Kravitz at two and three, respectively. Maybe if Pascal spent more time with his shirt off, he would have ranked higher on the list.

Meanwhile, The Last of Us star is ahead of the likes of generational heartthrobs Harrison Ford and Marlon Brando, so he’s in a pretty impressive position.

Pascal has become one of the hottest actors of the moment, in every sense of the term hot. His profile is one of the highest around after starring in multiple major franchise projects. Even when Pascal shows up in commercials, people go nuts. Outside of his physical attractiveness, he also has a reputation for just being a really nice guy, which only boosts his "daddy" status. Being nice is incredibly sexy.

Of course, it’s possible that a little something more went into how these rankings were determined. It’s suggested to Pascal by Metro that his placement at number four, clearly the most fantastic number, was no coincidence. The actor then jokes about the possible reason for his spot on the list, saying…

It’s certainly an interesting coincidence that Pedro Pascal is ranked number four, while he’s out promoting the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps.

One expects that after the movie comes out on July 25, Pascal may even see his fan base increase. Between that and maybe making a movie with a "one" in the title, maybe he'll fare better on a future list. The internet’s daddy isn’t going anywhere.

With the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps set to release soon and Marvel Studios shifting gears into X-Men territory, the Internet has gone full mutant mania. Now, thanks to a well-placed quote and a swirl of new casting rumors, two familiar names either involved with or in proximity to The Last of Us (streamable with a Max subscription) are suddenly in the conversation regarding Marvel's take on the mutants. The actors in question are Pedro Pascal’s sister, Lux Pascal, and his HBO co-star, Bella Ramsey.

Who Does Lux Pascal Want To Play In An X-Men Project?

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lux Pascal opened up about her breakout role in Miss Carbón and her hopes for the future. One of her wishes is a potential big-screen turn as Jean Grey, as Pascal shared:

That alone would be enough to spark fan cast threads, but the timing couldn’t be more perfect. As Pedro Pascal joins the MCU himself this summer, taking on Reed Richards in the aforementioned upcoming Marvel movie Fantastic Four: First Steps. The notion of the Pascal family further staking its claim in this massive superhero franchise is exciting to think about, to be honest.

What's Going On With The Rumors Involving Bella Ramsey?

It's interesting that Lux Pascal's comments also coincide with X-Men rumors swirling around Bella Ramsey, the Emmy-nominated powerhouse who played Ellie opposite Pedro Pascal’s Joel in The Last of Us. While nothing is confirmed, the rumor mill has lit up with speculation that the HBO favorite may be in line to portray a younger version of Rogue or possibly Shadowcat (a.k.a. Kitty Pryde), with the latter being mentioned by MyTimeToShineHello of X. Both characters beloved by fans and pivotal to any fresh take on the mutant saga.

I personally would rather see the veteran Requiem star take on Pryde, or possibly an altogether different character, one that hasn’t even been seen on screen before. For my money, these are the mutants Bella Ramsey was born to play:

• No-Girl (Martha Johansson) – Power: Disembodied brain with powerful telepathy
  • Why Bella? A tragic and deeply unique role—they could crush the emotional weight and inner strength behind this fan-favorite oddity.
• Trance (Hope Abbott) – Power: Astral projection with explosive energy surges when stressed.
  • Why Bella? Trance's struggle to control her abilities mirrors Ellie’s emotional volatility, perfect for the rising star’s intensity.
• Wallflower (Laurie Collins) – Power: Releases pheromones that influence others’ emotions.
  • Why Bella? A soft-spoken mutant dealing with isolation and internal conflict, the performer excels at playing characters with layers of vulnerability.
• Blindfold (Ruth Aldine) – Power: Precognition and telepathy, often cryptic and dreamlike.
  • Why Bella? This haunting, ethereal mutant would allow the English performer to go full cerebral. A fan-favorite New X-Men member ripe for screen debut.
• Tempo (Heather Tucker) – Power: Time manipulation (can slow or speed time for others).
  • Why Bella? Often morally conflicted, sometimes heroic, sometimes not—Tempo’s complex arc would be a compelling vehicle for Ramsey.

Between Game of Thrones and The Last of Us, Bella Ramsey has made a name for themselves as a fearless, emotionally layered performer. That's precisely the kind of energy that could revitalize Marvel’s mutant roster. It also doesn’t hurt that they already have major studio experience, critical acclaim and a built-in fanbase.

What I really can't get over, though, isn't simply the casting chatter—it’s how connected these threads are. Considering Pedro Pascal is joining Marvel, Lux, is vocal about wanting to join the X-Men as Jean Grey, Bella Ramsey is allegedly being eyed for a mutant role, it feels like someone scripted this. Still, the overlap feels too perfect to ignore, especially when you consider how Marvel Studios likes to build around familiar, reliable talent.

Could Bella Ramsey and the Pascal siblings all end up suiting up together in an upcoming superhero movie? It’s not out of the question but, for now, we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, fans can revisit the X-Men films from the Fox era and catch up on all the Marvel Movies in order, all streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

Watch for the older Pascal sibling’s character, Reed Richards, to officially join the MCU when Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters on July 25.

Pedro Pascal might be the internet's daddy, and one of Hollywood's finest heartthrobs, but for Rachel Zegler, he really is like a dad. The young actress recently made that clear too, as she recalled how the Fantastic Four: First Steps actor sweetly supported her as she led the cast of the West End revival of Evita on its opening night.

At Evita's opening night festivities, Zegler shared with Hits Radio UK why she calls Pascal ‘Dad.’ The stage and Hollywood star explained that their friendship is sweet and real. It was on full display too, as the actor supported his friend from the audience, helping solidify the reported great preliminary previews of the West End revival. While in attendance, Pascal reportedly gave her a standing ovation after every number, and it’s how she spotted him in the crowd. Lovingly, she shared:

I’m just so smitten with how cute this friendship is! He’s been showing up and showing out for the Y2K alum for quite some time, including through the Snow White drama earlier this year. So, it’s really no surprise she has nothing but love for her Hollywood Dad.

Now, not only do I want to see Rachel Zegler's iconic and viral balcony scene in this production, but I also want to see Pedro Pascal's reaction to it.

Thankfully, if you’re like me and wish to have seen it in person, both posted a small clip of him cheering her on on their IG stories. It’s not much, but at least it’s something, and Zegler returned the love for her Papi! Here’s a screenshot to get the idea of the brief video:

Clearly, Pascal loved every minute of his pal’s performance, and other critics are praising Evita too. But the revival already seemed promising after Zegler went viral earlier this summer for her public balcony performance to people on the street.

As mentioned, it’s just the beginning of the singer and actress’s time in Evita. It’ll have a 12-week run from July 1 to September 6 at The London Palladium, one of The West End’s most prestigious theatres. Also, along with her theater career, Zegler will return to the screen too after landing She Gets It From Me.

Meanwhile, the Gladiator II alum has plenty going on. Pascal returned to the 2025 TV guide hit The Last of Us, which you can stream with an HBO Max subscription. And that was soon followed by his first 2025 movie calendar title, Materialists. Now, the releases of Fantastic Four: First Steps and Ari Aster’s Eddington are right around the corner.

The last two films mentioned will premiere this July as well, and that will hopefully give Rachel Zegler the chance to reciprocate the hype Pedro Pascal showed at her performance.

From what we know about Fantastic Four: First Steps, the plan is to stand out due to its fantastic new cast and being set in a ‘60s retro-future, but also for its emphasis on family. After all, a quartet can’t fight evil together without a strong bond. One of its leading stars, Pedro Pascal, delightfully explains about being “around such talented fuckers” and what makes his co-stars so great.

While previous Fantastic Four movies have shown the team of scientists on the path of coming together as a family, the upcoming Marvel movie will take place four years after they gained their powers and have already bonded as a family. While discussing his experience on set of the Marvel reboot, Pedro Pascal delightfully explained to Vanity Fair how much he looked up to the “talented fuckers” he worked with, along with some hilarious envy on the side:

Looks like Pedro Pascal’s got some real-life competition! Almost similar to what we'll see in the Marvel flick, with each member of the Fantastic Four having standout qualities. Reed’s got his brilliance, Johnny is fun-loving, Ben is tough, and Sue is fiercely protective. But, it looks like the same can be said when you’re surrounded by a talented cast. Each star brings something unique to their performance that can make anyone green with envy. But, you know the love is still there.

If you can believe it, the No. 1 challenge Fantastic Four: First Steps faced was casting. Director Matt Shakman wanted to ensure the chemistry was a four-way among everyone, and for each star to portray the best of each Marvel hero. It’s clear that Pedro Pascal was finding a family among everyone during filming, continuing to talk about his favorite qualities in each co-star:

There’s no surprise there that Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Vanessa Kirby would be a blast to work with. I’m sure they all know how to bring fun and love into the set.

You can tell that the Marvel co-stars have a strong friendship outside of filming. Examples include when Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal supportively held hands at Comic-Con and when the cast supported Ebon Moss-Bachrach before his Emmy win. As they all plan to reunite for Avengers: Doomsday, I have a feeling the bond between everyone will continue to grow with each Marvel movie they do.

I’m really loving what Pedro Pascal said about Sue and Reed’s relationship. In First Steps, the two will be introduced as a married couple with a super intriguing aspect— they’re going to be parents! I’m curious if their new baby will eventually gain powers of their own to contribute to the superhero team. It raises the stakes of what it means to protect the future when your child will be a part of it.

Pedro Pascal delightfully sending praises towards his Fantastic Four co-stars was incredibly heartwarming for him to do. A powerful bond with your cast is the perfect fuel for everyone to bring out their best performance and wow an audience. I can’t wait to see the familial chemistry the cast will have when the 2025 movie release of Fantastic Four: First Steps makes its way into theaters on July 25th.