In showbiz, actors often bear the brunt when a film underperforms even slightly, regardless of the ancillary factors at play. Audiences and social media critics are quick to zero in on the star power attached, more often than not overlooking the broader picture. That trend appears to continue with Marvel’s Fantastic Four as Pedro Pascal finds himself under scrutiny following the said title’s noticeable second Friday slump.

Fantastic Four earned just $11.7 million on its sophomore Friday domestically, per Variety, marking an alarming 80 percent dip from its launch day. With a projected weekend total now expected to miss the $45 to $52 million range, the film’s holistic US haul may cap at $198 million, still shy of its $200 million production cost. As its performance tanks, fans have begun blaming Pedro Pascal saturation, questioning Marvel’s casting choice. 

Released on July 25, Fantastic Four, for those unversed, stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards alongside Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as the iconic superhero clan. Set in a newly imagined Marvel multiverse, the film follows the quartet as they grapple with interdimensional threats and their evolving powers. While early buzz praised the offering, it has struggled to maintain momentum. Some on X also suspect that superhero fatigue, alongside Pascal's onboarding, could be the reason the film has not brought in the expected revenue so far.

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Second Friday blues hit Fantastic Four, and fans are not shy about pointing out a little too much Pedro Pascal in the pop culture mix.

With Fantastic Four faltering in its second week, Pedro Pascal found himself cast in an unexpected role: the scapegoat. While some admitted the film was decent, they argued that the actor's constant presence on the screen — Gladiator II, Materialists, The Last of Us — has led to viewer burnout. Others cited lingering discomfort over his alleged behavior with female co-stars, claiming audiences “did not want this guy” leading the film. Although superhero fatigue and changing streaming habits were also mentioned, the concluding argument was about Pascal being overutilized in Tinseltown.

Meanwhile, the alternative narrative demanded swift action to save Fantastic Four from bombing, saying the masses need to get back to the cinemas as soon as possible. Quantumania was also blamed for the franchise losing its spark.

Fantastic Four’s unfavorable second-week performance has reignited enduring debates about Hollywood’s reliance on familiar faces and outdated formulas. While Pedro Pascal remains a celebrated actor, the backlash highlights a growing sensitivity to overexposure, leading to a disconnect with audiences. Aligned with Marvel's shifting position in the cineverse and evolving viewing habits, the film's underperformance suggests a need for review. Whether it is casting choices or something entirely else, Fantastic Four may serve as a wake-up call for filmmakers not just behind this entry, but across the broader entertainment business.

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Do you think Pedro Pascal is the reason for Fantastic Four’s mid-second Friday performance? Let us know in the comments.