In a feature published by Vanity Fair, two of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, Robert Downey Jr. and Pedro Pascal, shared their admiration for one another and shed light on their bond, both personal and professional on the set of Marvel’s upcoming epic, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.
Set for a December 2026 release, the film brings Pascal and Downey into direct opposition as Reed Richards and the villainous Doctor Doom. However, behind the scenes, it’s a different story.
Robert Downey Jr. Backs Pedro Pascal
While Marvel fans eagerly await the cinematic face-off between Doctor Doom and Mr. Fantastic, what’s happening off-screen is just as intriguing. Robert Downey Jr. has taken a unique approach during filming. He invited fellow castmates, including Pedro Pascal, to “homework days” at his home. Though Pascal coyly avoided revealing what really happens during these meetups, it’s clear these gatherings go far beyond just rehearsals.
Related: David Tennant Admits He Wanted Pedro Pascal’s Role In ‘The Fantastic Four’
“Pascal’s slow trajectory to becoming a household name who is on a wildly hot streak kind of reaffirms my faith in our industry,” Downey stated. Downey knows what it means to fight your way into the spotlight, to fall and rise again. Additionally, his admiration for Pascal is clear. Pedro, who will officially debut as Reed Richards in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ this July, opened up about the backlash he faced upon being cast.
“He’s too old. He’s not right. He needs to shave,” were just some of the criticisms leveled at him. In those moments of doubt, it was Downey who provided not just comfort, but community. “He’s just so immediately generous and inviting,” Pascal said of Downey. “You feel like you can be afraid, you can be hungry, you can be ambivalent.” In a cutthroat industry, Downey offered Pascal a safe space to be imperfect.
Pedro Pascal Calls Out J.K. Rowling’s Controversial Stance Against Transgender Women
Pedro Pascal’s courage doesn’t stop at the edge of the film set. Off-screen, the actor has become a passionate voice for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender individuals. This commitment of his is driven by his love and support for his sister, Lux Pascal, who came out as transgender in 2021. In his Vanity Fair profile, Pascal once again took a firm stand against author J.K. Rowling’s widely criticized views on transgender women.
In case you missed it: Pedro Pascal Talks About His Initial MCU Skepticism And Self-Doubt Over Playing Reed Richards
After Rowling expressed support for a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that defined “woman” based solely on biological sex, Pascal didn’t mince words. “Awful disgusting is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior,” he commented under a viral Instagram post challenging Rowling’s stance. The reaction brought Pascal a mix of admiration and scrutiny. However, it’s clear his intent was personal and deeply moral. “I want to protect the people I love,” he told Vanity Fair.
Pedro Pascal calls J.K. Rowling a “heinous loser” after she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding trans women’s legal identities. pic.twitter.com/LEGMD79PjQ
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 24, 2025
“But it goes beyond that. Bullies make me sick.” He admitted that the backlash made him feel “like that kid that got sent to the principal’s office,” unsure whether he had helped or hurt the cause. “It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance,” he said, emphasizing the need for compassion in advocacy. Pascal’s friend and ‘Last of Us’ co-star, Bella Ramsey, offered her side about his public image. She expressed discomfort with the “internet’s daddy” meme that surrounds Pascal, noting, “I felt worried for him… You’re so much more.”
