Pedro Pascal CANCELLED After Disney’s FANTASTIC FOUR Box Office DISASTER! Disney & Bob Iger Panic
Pedro Pascal CANCELLED After Disney’s FANTASTIC FOUR Box Office DISASTER! Disney & Bob Iger Panic
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps was meant to usher Marvel’s First Family into the spotlight, but its lackluster box office performance has sparked a whirlwind of controversy, with viral headlines claiming Pedro Pascal, the film’s star, is “cancelled” and Disney CEO Bob Iger is in a state of panic. Social media platforms like X and YouTube are ablaze with speculation, alleging a fan backlash and a sinking ship for Marvel. But how much truth lies behind these sensational claims? Let’s break down the box office numbers, the “cancellation” rumors, and what’s really at stake for Disney and Marvel.
The Box Office “Disaster”: Fact-Checking the Numbers
Released on July 25, 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps—starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm—opened to a respectable $117.6 million domestically and $218 million globally, securing the fourth biggest opening of 2025. Critics praised its retro 1960s aesthetic and cast chemistry, with Variety lauding its “immaculate visuals” and The Telegraph calling it “Marvel’s best in a decade.” However, the film’s second weekend saw a sharp 66-67% drop domestically, earning just $38.7-$40 million, steeper than the anticipated 55-60% decline. By its fourth weekend, it pulled in $8.8 million domestically, with global totals at $370-371.9 million against a $200 million production budget.
The “disaster” label is hyperbolic. ComicBook.com notes the film is the highest-grossing Fantastic Four movie when adjusted for inflation, surpassing the 2005 and 2015 versions. Projections estimate a final global haul of $520-570 million, potentially yielding a modest profit after marketing costs, which typically require a film to earn 2-2.5 times its budget to break even. While it underperformed compared to MCU giants like Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.3 billion) or Superman ($850 million, 53% second-week drop), it’s not a catastrophic flop like The Marvels (78% drop, $187 million). Forbes attributes the drop to the Fantastic Four’s niche appeal and competition from Jurassic World Rebirth, rather than a total rejection by audiences.
Pedro Pascal “Cancelled”? Debunking the Rumors
The claim that Pedro Pascal is “cancelled” stems from a July 27, 2025, YouTube video titled “FANTASTIC FOUR 2 CANCELLED! Pedro Pascal FIRED by Disney After New Abuse Allegations Emerge!” which amassed thousands of views. The video, flagged by Reportultra as clickbait, alleged Disney axed Pascal and a sequel due to unspecified “abuse allegations.” Similar narratives on X, like posts from @MarvelSkeptic, fueled speculation, tying Pascal’s supposed firing to fan backlash over his casting or behavior. Some posts referenced a viral clip of Pascal being affectionate with co-star Vanessa Kirby during press events, with users like @ComicTruth dismissing the rumors as baseless, noting, “FF2 isn’t even announced yet.”
No credible outlet—Variety, Deadline, or The Hollywood Reporter—confirms Pascal’s firing or any abuse allegations. Netflix Junkie explicitly debunked the cancellation narrative, stating Pascal “remains firmly attached” to First Steps and is confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday (2026). The rumors likely stem from fan discontent over Pascal’s casting as a 50-year-old Reed Richards, with some X users arguing he’s “too old” or “not right” for the role, per Vanity Fair. Others point to unverified claims of Pascal making anti-MAGA or anti-Trump comments, echoing controversies like Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel backlash. A CoronaToday’s post suggested Pascal’s “need to speak out” risked alienating conservative fans, but no direct quotes or evidence have surfaced in major reports.
Bob Iger’s “Panic” and Disney’s Response
The narrative of Bob Iger “panicking” comes from YouTube videos and X posts, like one from August 8, 2025, claiming, “DISNEY PANICS as Pedro Pascal’s Rants DESTROY Fantastic Four!” During Disney’s August 2025 earnings call, Iger took a measured tone, calling First Steps an “original property” that “successfully launched” the Fantastic Four into the MCU, per Variety. He acknowledged the 66% drop but emphasized long-term franchise potential, with the cast set to return in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). ScreenRant reported Iger’s pride in Marvel’s achievement, framing the film as a foundation for Phase 6 despite its financial struggles.
The “panic” label appears exaggerated. Iger’s broader strategy, as noted in Deadline, focuses on quality over quantity, with Disney scaling back releases after the Multiverse Saga’s mixed results. Recent MCU flops like The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (70% drop, $476 million), and Captain America: Brave New World (68% drop, $415 million) have prompted a leaner slate, with only Deadpool 3 in 2024 and three films in 2025. Breitbart criticized Iger’s claim of First Steps as “original,” given its reboot status, but ComicBook.com argues the film’s A- CinemaScore and projected $520-570 million haul soften the “disaster” narrative.
The Cultural Backlash and Marvel’s Challenges
The “cancellation” and “panic” stories tap into a cultural divide. Conservative fans, amplified by X posts like @SirBylHolte’s, claim First Steps suffered because of perceived “woke” messaging or Pascal’s alleged political remarks, drawing parallels to Gina Carano’s 2025 settlement with Disney after her Mandalorian firing. Outkick suggests Disney’s focus on sequels and reboots over original content alienates audiences, while Polygon argues superhero fatigue is hitting lesser-known teams like the Fantastic Four hardest. Yet, Deadline notes that hits like Deadpool & Wolverine prove audiences still love quality superhero films, suggesting First Steps’ issues lie in execution or marketing, not politics.
The Boston Globe criticized the film’s “sluggish” pacing and weak villain, despite its 7.3/10 IMDb rating, indicating creative missteps may outweigh cultural backlash. Disney’s history of clashing with conservative audiences—e.g., the 2022 DeSantis feud—adds fuel, but no evidence ties First Steps’ drop directly to a boycott. The film’s role in setting up Avengers: Doomsday with Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom shows Marvel’s commitment to the Fantastic Four, regardless of short-term stumbles.
What’s Next for Marvel and Pascal?
The “Pedro Pascal cancelled” narrative is largely clickbait, with no credible evidence of his firing or a sequel’s cancellation. Pascal remains a key figure in Disney’s ecosystem, starring in The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) and Avengers: Doomsday. Iger’s steady leadership, as reported by Business Insider, focuses on rebuilding Marvel’s momentum through quality storytelling, with upcoming releases like Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash aiming to stabilize the studio. While First Steps’ box office is disappointing, its projected profit and franchise setup suggest it’s not the catastrophe headlines claim.
Marvel must address fan fatigue and cultural divides to regain its dominance. For now, Pascal and Disney are moving forward, undeterred by the noise. The Fantastic Four’s journey is just beginning, and the real test lies in whether Marvel can deliver a knockout with its next chapter.
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