David Tennant would probably have liked to use the TARDIS to nab the lead role in Walt Disney Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
During a panel conversation at MCM Comic Con in London, the Doctor Who alum was asked by a fan if there were any villains or superheroes he would like to portray that he hasn’t gotten the chance to yet. Though Tennant acknowledged he struck gold with the mind-controlling abusive antagonist Killgrave in Jessica Jones, there’s another MCU role he would have also liked to nab.
“In terms of superheroes, I don’t know, I did slightly have my eye on Reed Richards, and unfortunately, it looks like they’ve gone in a different direction,” he said tongue-in-cheek, “although if it has to be someone, I’m happy for it to be Pedro Pascal, frankly.”
As the audience whooped upon the mention of Mister Fantastic himself, Tennant agreed, exclaiming a resounding “yes!”
He continued, “I would have quite liked to be Reed Richards, I’d quite like to be able to do all that,” reaching out in front of him and making a sound effect to demonstrate the character’s elasticity power. “So I’ll stick with that even though it’s gone, even though it’s gonna be a while before there’s another go at that, I think, unfortunately.”
He concluded, “I think Pedro Pascal is great. I’m very, very pleased that he exists.”
Tennant is in good company, as last year, The Fall of the House of Usher actor Rahul Kohli also said he lost out on the coveted role. Rounding out the fictional quartet is Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). Additional cast members include Julia Garner as Silver Surfer, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Ralph Ineson and Natasha Lyonne.
For the Invincible Man himself, Pascal recently noted that embodying the de-facto leader of the familial superhero clan and fan-favorite franchise character was “really intimidating.” He told Entertainment Weekly, in part, “You really want to make people happy, especially if it’s something that’s widely known with particular expectations around it because you want those expectations to be met. You also want to be authentic to yourself so that it can be the best that it can be for anybody who wants to be entertained by a story and travel with us into this world.”
Due in theaters July 25 and helmed by three-time Emmy nominee Matt Shakman, First Steps marks the fourth attempt to translate the original comic book characters to the silver screen. This time, the action will take place in an alternate history/parallel universe set in the ’60s, offering a retrofuturistic environment for audiences.
