Pedro Pascal is at the top of Hollywood’s list of actors, having won over MCU fans as Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He embodied the beloved comic book hero with a sense of compassion that set him apart from his predecessors. In the role of Reed, Pascal gave his character the needed heart and vulnerability beyond being a scientist and hero as he becomes a father in the movie.
While Pascal also played a father figure in The Last of Us, there’s a Netflix movie that showcases Pascal’s emotional range as a fatherly hero, preceding his role in Fantastic Four. The 2020 movie We Can Be Heroes was Pascal’s first try at a character that would help establish his presence as Reed, a relatable hero who, at the end of the day, has his main focus on his family as well as protecting humanity. We Can Be Heroes has recently surged in popularity on Netflix and is worth watching for audiences of all ages.
What Is ‘We Can Be Heroes’ About?
We Can Be Heroes is a family-friendly superhero film that serves as a standalone sequel to Robert Rodriguez’s earlier work, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. Set in a world where Earth’s mightiest heroes, known as Heroics, protect the planet, the story begins when an alien invasion kidnaps all the adult heroes. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the government shelters its super-powered children in a secure facility.
Among the children is Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin), a seemingly ordinary girl, whose father, Marcus (Pascal), is also taken in the invasion. Realizing no one is left to save their parents, Missy gathers the other superhero kids and leads them on a dangerous mission. Each child has unique abilities, from time control, shape-shifting, stretching, and more. They must learn to work together as a team to harness their powers and save the day. We Can Be Heroes did moderately well on Netflix, being well-loved among younger audiences with a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite premiering in 2020, a report by Variety Australia says the superhero movie regained popularity with over 20 million views in 2025.
Pedro Pascal Gives His Superhero Character a Fatherly Heart of Gold in ‘We Can Be Heroes’
It may not be a surprise that We Can Be Heroes‘ popularity has surged thanks to Pascal. It draws a clear before-and-after contrast with Pascal now cemented in the role of Reed Richards, especially as he’s set to return in Avengers: Doomsday. Fans will find that it’s hard not to see a parallel between Mister Fantastic and Marcus Moreno.
Playing the role of Marcus, Pascal brings warmth and emotional gravity as the stoic yet compassionate leader of the Heroics. While many superhero films focus on strength and spectacle, Pascal infuses his character with something rare: a deep, fatherly tenderness that anchors the story emotionally. Marcus isn’t just a world-saving warrior; he’s a devoted single father to a young girl without powers. Pascal’s portrayal subtly underscores that Marcus’s greatest power isn’t his swordsmanship or leadership—it’s his unwavering love, vulnerability, and trust in his daughter’s potential.
Pascal flips the superhero archetype, not only in a way where he’s not the main hero, but also in how he performs as a hero. He doesn’t bark orders or act invincible; he listens, encourages, and believes in the next generation of young heroes. His performance adds a level of compassion to a high-energy kids’ movie, reminding viewers that heroism isn’t just about saving the world—it’s about raising the next generation who will.
Pedro Pascal’s Netflix Role Parallels Certain Aspects of Reed Richards
At first glance, Reed and Marcus don’t appear like similar characters, but they are, in certain ways that lead to understanding why Pascal was able to portray the Fantastic Four hero with emotional grit. Both characters are not just superheroes with extraordinary abilities but also complex leaders who navigate the challenges of guiding others, whether a family or a team. In We Can Be Heroes, Marcus embodies a fatherly figure who balances heroic duties with care for his daughter and a younger generation. This blend of leadership and paternal warmth highlights the importance of trust, mentorship, and emotional intelligence. All qualities that resonate strongly in Pascal’s depiction of Reed.
Similarly, Pascal’s version of Reed is described as being emotionally available and deeply invested in his role as a leader, partner, and soon-to-be father. Both Reed and Marcus wrestle with the responsibility of protecting not just the world but also their loved ones, depicting that heroism extends beyond powers and that even powerful heroes wrestle with emotions, vulnerability, and humanity. In Fantastic Four, Pascal’s version of Reed battles between his incredible intellect and desire to find a solution to every problem versus understanding and learning others’ outlook on the world. In return, Marcus comes out of retirement to try and stop the invasion but soon comes to find that trust goes a long way when it comes to his daughter and her friends being more than capable of saving the world.
Ultimately, Pascal brings a humanizing touch to both roles, emphasizing that true heroism lies in balancing strength with compassion. His performance in We Can Be Heroes was an early suggestion that playing Reed Richards was an organic next step—where brains, heart, and leadership merge to create a hero audiences can connect with on a personal level.
