Pedro Pascal has addressed critics who claim he's "too old" to play Reed Richards in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.
The 50-year-old actor — who was recently swarmed by fans during his first public appearance since receiving criticism from JK Rowling — opened up to AP News about how the backlash has affected him emotionally.
While Pascal usually brushes off negative commentary about his work, he admitted that the criticism this time around has been difficult to ignore.
"I think that sometimes the outside will find you, no matter how much you try to protect yourself from it, and it just comes with the territory," he said.
Speaking at a Fantastic Four fan event in London this week, Pascal reflected on the emotional weight of taking on such a beloved character. "I think maybe my nerves were bigger than they usually are, and so I think I just was a little bit more sensitive to the love that people have for stories like this, because I know that they wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the love that people have for these characters," he explained.
He acknowledged the pressure that comes with stepping into the shoes of Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic.
"I think that it’s very important for me that expectations be fulfilled," Pascal said. "But I also know that the only way to do that is to give it all my focus and all my heart and my body and my soul, and so that was the best I could do."
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25.
Despite the online noise, Pascal remains optimistic and confident in where he is in life. He described turning 50 as a milestone to celebrate rather than dread.
"It is the best time of my life. Just, I don't know, look around. It's an incredible reflection of what I'm experiencing right now. I'm having a really amazing time," he told the outlet.