Pedro Pascal REACTS FURIOUSLY After Fantastic Four Viewership CRASHES to ZERO!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps was poised to be a triumphant reboot, but its box office performance has sparked a firestorm of controversy, with viral headlines claiming Pedro Pascal, the film’s star as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, is “reacting furiously” to a catastrophic viewership collapse. Sensational YouTube videos and X posts scream that the film’s numbers have “crashed to zero,” fueling speculation of a meltdown from Pascal and a broader crisis for Marvel. But how much of this is true? Let’s dive into the numbers, the alleged outburst, and what’s really at stake for the MCU.

The Box Office Reality: A Crash or a Stumble?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on July 25, 2025, opened with promise, grossing $117.6 million domestically and $218 million globally, making it the fourth biggest opening of the year. Directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film earned praise for its retro-futuristic 1960s vibe and strong cast chemistry, with Variety calling it a “visual feast” and The Telegraph dubbing it “Marvel’s best in a decade.” However, the second weekend saw a steep 66-67% drop domestically, pulling in just $38.7-$40 million, worse than the expected 55-60% decline. By its fourth weekend, it was earning a mere $8.8 million domestically, with global totals at $370-371.9 million against a $200 million budget.

The claim that viewership “crashed to zero” is a gross exaggeration. While the film’s performance is underwhelming—projections estimate a final global haul of $520-570 million, barely breaking even after marketing costs—it’s far from a total collapse. ComicBook.com notes it’s the highest-grossing Fantastic Four film when adjusted for inflation, outpacing the 2005 original and 2015 reboot. Still, compared to MCU heavyweights like Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.3 billion) or Superman ($850 million, with a 53% second-week drop), First Steps struggles to maintain momentum. Forbes attributes this to the Fantastic Four’s niche appeal, noting, “These characters are not particularly popular,” and competition from Jurassic World Rebirth didn’t help.

Pedro Pascal’s “Furious” Reaction: Fact or Clickbait?

The headline “Pedro Pascal REACTS FURIOUSLY” stems largely from a YouTube video titled “Pedro Pascal REACTS FURIOUSLY After Fantastic Four Viewership CRASHES to ZERO!” posted on August 17, 2025, which claims Pascal lashed out over the film’s failure. Similar narratives on X, like @SirBylHolte’s post suggesting the film’s drop was tied to political backlash, fuel the story. These sources allege Pascal made inflammatory comments, possibly targeting MAGA or conservative audiences, alienating fans and triggering a boycott. However, no mainstream outlet—Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or Entertainment Weekly—confirms a specific “furious” outburst from Pascal tied to the box office.

What is documented is Pascal addressing casting backlash over his age (50) for Reed Richards. In a July 2025 AP News interview, he admitted feeling “more sensitive” to criticism, saying, “I think that sometimes the outside will find you no matter how much you try to protect yourself from it, and it just comes with the territory.” He emphasized giving the role “all my focus and all my heart” to meet fan expectations. Entertainment Weekly and Yahoo echoed this, framing his response as measured, not angry. Claims of a meltdown appear to be clickbait exaggerations, possibly conflating his comments with broader fan discontent or unverified rumors of anti-Trump remarks, which lack credible sourcing.

The MAGA Backlash and Cultural Divide

The viral narrative ties the film’s struggles to a supposed clash with MAGA audiences, amplified by X posts and YouTube channels like Mike Zeroh. Some claim Pascal’s alleged political comments—unsubstantiated in major reports—mirrored past Hollywood controversies, like Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel backlash or Rachel Zegler’s Snow White drama. Breitbart and Outkick suggest Disney’s progressive leanings alienate conservative fans, pointing to Gina Carano’s 2025 settlement with Disney as evidence of ongoing tensions. An X post from @BlackMajikMan90 called the drop “MCU fatigue, not comic book fatigue,” hinting at broader disillusionment with Marvel’s direction.

This cultural rift isn’t new. Disney’s 2022-2023 clash with Ron DeSantis over Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and Bob Iger’s 2017 exit from Trump’s advisory council set a precedent for conservative pushback. Yet, First Steps’ issues seem more tied to execution than politics. Polygon notes its failure to “reignite passion” reflects superhero fatigue for lesser-known teams, while Deadline argues audiences still embrace quality superhero films like Deadpool & Wolverine. The film’s 7.3/10 IMDb rating and A- CinemaScore suggest decent reception, but The Boston Globe criticized its “sluggish” story and weak villain presence, pointing to creative missteps over political sabotage.

Marvel’s Path Forward

Despite the drama, Marvel remains committed to the Fantastic Four. The film sets up the team’s role in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), with Pascal confirmed to return alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. Variety quoted Iger calling First Steps a “successful launch” for the franchise, focusing on its long-term potential. At a projected $520-570 million, the film may eke out a modest profit, softening the “disaster” label. However, Marvel’s recent struggles—The Marvels (78% drop, $187 million), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (70% drop, $476 million)—highlight the need for stronger storytelling to counter fatigue.

The Pascal “fury” narrative is likely overblown, driven by sensationalist media exploiting cultural divides. While the film’s box office drop is real, it’s not “zero,” and Pascal’s response appears professional, not unhinged. Marvel must navigate these choppy waters carefully, balancing creative risks with fan expectations to keep the Fantastic Four—and the MCU—flying high.