Pedro Pascal’s Next Sci-Fi Movie Looks Way More Fun Than ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’

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Pedro Pascal has quickly become a major star, appearing in popular shows and movies like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. He recently starred as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a movie that aimed high and was praised for its stylish, 1960s-inspired look. As an origin story for Marvel’s First Family, the film had a notably serious tone.

This movie was particularly important for Marvel, coming after the somewhat uneven performance of Phases 4 and 5. They really needed a success, so they went with a more serious and grounded approach than many of their previous films. While it wasn’t a failure, it lacked the playful energy and lightheartedness that often makes action movies so enjoyable.

Pedro Pascal is returning as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian & Grogu, marking the first Star Wars movie in theaters since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. Early trailers suggest this film will be a truly exciting adventure – something the Fantastic Four movies never quite achieved.

The trailers for The Mandalorian & Grogu immediately show how much enjoyable adventure the show offers. It’s not trying too hard to be funny, but it feels like a classic, exciting popcorn movie. We see Grogu riding in a speeder with small, toaster-sized creatures called Anzellans, and even using a special gauntlet to shoot at a little rodent. He playfully tries to use his Force powers to steal snacks, but gets caught in a funny moment. In just a short time, Grogu displays more personality than some characters do in entire movies.

The villain in Mandalorian & Grogu adds to the story’s excitement. Embo, a bounty hunter originally from The Clone Wars animated series, is a strong and intimidating character – we first see him arriving on a stormy planet with his new pet anooba. However, unlike some villains, Embo isn’t trying to destroy everything; his goals are more focused.

Okay, so as a fan, here’s how I see it: this guy is just a bounty hunter, doing what he’s paid to do. It seems like the Hutt Twins are behind it all, trying to take over now that the Empire is gone. But honestly, it’s not like the galaxy’s about to be destroyed, so everyone can just relax and enjoy the ride, you know? It feels like a more lighthearted story because of that.

With First Steps, the Fantastic Four encountered a completely new level of danger with Galactus, leaving little room for humor – except from Johnny Storm, as usual. But even with an even greater threat in Endgame, the movie remained enjoyable and funny, proving that serious stakes don’t have to mean a serious tone.

The Mandalorian & Grogu Being Fun Is a Good Thing

This isn’t just about comparing two Pedro Pascal films. Star Wars is back in cinemas after seven years, and the franchise needs a fresh start. Recent films, like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, were divisive and ultimately didn’t satisfy fans. A lighthearted, enjoyable adventure focusing on beloved characters is a smart and safe way to revitalize the brand.

Good entertainment isn’t superficial, despite what some people think. The original Star Wars trilogy prioritized being fun, and that’s why it worked so well – even with serious stakes, it never lost sight of entertaining the audience. First Steps missed this mark, which was a problem. The Fantastic Four has a lot of potential as a franchise, but the movie didn’t quite live up to it.

It’s not just that First Steps wasn’t very enjoyable that held it back. The previous Fantastic Four movies hadn’t done well either, which didn’t help. Ultimately, a superhero family needs to be fun and relatable – if audiences can’t share a laugh with them, they just seem like people in costumes. The Mandalorian & Grogu understands this, and is wisely incorporating humor into their adventures as a family.

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2026-04-11 09:04