Matt Shakman clarifies if Reed Richards will lead Avengers

Marvel Cinematic Universe is ready to enter Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and director Matt Shakman made a surprising admission about Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic.

Following Fantastic Four’s debut this summer, Marvel’s first family, including Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, will return in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday.

However, a recent statement from director Shakman went viral after it sounded like Pascal’s character would become the new leader of the Avengers next year.

Shakman has now clarified his comments about Reed Richards leading Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Doomsday during an interview with ScreenRant.

“So I actually didn’t say that… The internet ran with it,” the director confessed. “The question was about casting Pedro, and I was talking about Reed Richards in the comic books — how he’s sometimes the cerebral scientist.”

Shakman explained that in the comics, Reed sometimes leads the Avengers, while other times he’s portrayed more as a father, husband, or inventor.

He added that he was only referencing Reed’s various comic book iterations and the different attributes the character embodies.

“Somebody who is believably the smartest man in the universe,” he said about Pascal’s portrayal. “Somebody who will jump into the action and be believable as a leader.”

Shakman also emphasised Reed’s strong connection to his family. He called Pascal an “incredible actor” and teased, “What he does in Avengers: Doomsday is not for me to talk about, talk to Joe or Anthony.”

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