Pedro Pascal Reveals Mister Fantastic's Surprising Bond With Doctor Doom in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY
Doctor Doom and Mister Fantastic have some serious history, and it sounds like Pedro Pascal and Robert Downey Jr. will have plenty to work with when their characters finally collide in Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday.
According to Pascal, Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom share a connection that goes beyond two brilliant scientists trying to outsmart each other.
Doom made his first appearance in the mid-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, leaving fans wondering exactly where Downey's version of the villain came from. One popular theory suggested he was from another universe entirely, meaning he wouldn't have any personal history with Marvel's First Family.
That's apparently not the case. Doom also comes from Earth-828, which means he and Reed Richards already have a past together. That makes their upcoming confrontation a whole lot more interesting.
Speaking with Empire, Pascal opened up about the unusual relationship between the two characters, suggesting they understand each other in ways nobody else really can. He explained their dynamic, saying:
"They’re very bonded in a lot of different ways. They’re bonded as scientists. They think together through the lens of science and math, and think in ways that most people don’t."
Pascal continued, "You can’t help but create a bond of friendship and kinship," adding, "and feel less alone in the world because there is a mind that is equal, if not superior, to your own."
That's an interesting way to describe the relationship, especially considering Doom's enormous ego and his obsession with proving he's the smartest guy in the room.
The idea that Reed and Victor have once considered each other friends gives their rivalry some real weight. These aren't just two geniuses throwing advanced technology at each other, they're two people who recognize something extraordinary in one another, and that connection could make their eventual conflict much more personal.
Of course, Doom isn't the only problem Earth's Mightiest Heroes will be dealing with. Avengers: Doomsday is bringing together the Avengers, New Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four for a massive MCU crossover. Getting all these heroes in the same movie is one thing. Getting them to cooperate while reality falls apart is another.
There's already legal drama between the Avengers and the "New Avengerz," although rumors suggest some of that conflict has been reduced during reshoots.
Empire also confirmed that Captain America's Avengers roster includes The Falcon, Ant-Man, Thor, and Shang-Chi, with Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson stepping up as the team's leader.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige explained why the timing of this massive threat couldn't be worse for the heroes, saying: "We’re coming out of years of seemingly no organised Avengers team, and that’s exactly when they face these incursions. That’s always fun, to put your heroes on the back foot."
Mackie also talked about Sam Wilson finally getting his opportunity to lead the Avengers into battle, saying: "In Endgame, Steve gave him the shield and says, 'You need to be the leader of the Avengers.' Now you get to see more of him leading the charge with everyone into battle."
A newly released still from Avengers: Doomsday that you can see above offers another look at the crossover, featuring Mister Fantastic alongside Shang-Chi, Black Widow, and Sam Wilson.
With so many heroes entering the fight, it'll be interesting to see how Marvel handles the personal conflict between Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom. The relationship between these two brilliant minds could end up being one of the movie's most compelling elements.
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18.
