Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby will soon be seen together in Marvel Cinematic Universe’s try at Marvel’s first family in the film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Since they are all set to bring Reed Richards and Sue Storm to our screens, it goes without saying that the two actors are spending a lot of time together. While their relationship seems absolutely adorable to many, there will always be some who would stoop down to spreading negativity.
Take the San Diego Comic-Con for example, when Pedro Pascal motioned for Vanessa Kirby to hold his hand, few were quick to assume that the former was using anxiety as an excuse to touch the latter. Thankfully, Vanessa Kirby’s latest words for her co-star are enough to put these Negative Nancys to rest.
Vanessa Kirby Praises Pedro Pascal Much to Haters’ Dismay
For context, Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal attended the San Diego Comic-Con this year where a clip of their candid interaction went viral. In the clip, Pascal could be seen touching Kirby’s shoulder which she notices and proceeds to hold his hand.
To most, the silent exchange will seem like a moment of understanding between two colleagues and friends. However, where there is positivity, there is negativity. The classic Yin and Yang. A few blasted Pascal for trying to touch Kirby under the guise of anxiety and stated that this was not a valid reason for a man to touch a woman.
Since Pascal deals with anxiety, there is a good chance that he wanted Kirby’s touch to help him calm down in a high-stress situation. Physical touch has been known to regulate stress, thus helping keep anxiety at bay. But of course, people had to make a big deal out of it all and take it the wrong way.
Luckily, Kirby’s kind words for Pascal are enough to put the haters at ease. She recently attended the Toronto International Film Festival where she was asked about her time working on The Fantastic Four. She stated (via CBM),
We love each other so much. I’ve been away from them for two days and I miss them. We’re having such great time together. I’m really hopeful for the movie and Matt Shakman is amazing and Pedro [Pascal] is heavenly.
Surely, if Kirby was uncomfortable with Pascal, she wouldn’t be calling him “heavenly” now, would she?
Pedro Pascal’s Struggle with Anxiety
Pedro Pascal has been pretty vocal about his tug of war with anxiety which he has been struggling with since he was a child. He was videoed beautifully explaining to his The Last of Us co-star, Bella Ramsay, how keeping a hand on his stomach helped him navigate through his anxiousness.
It was an intimate and sweet moment between the two actors whose platonic chemistry on screen has been loved by so many. It also showed just how Pascal calms himself down in public settings when anxiety starts to take a toll on him, with just a simple gesture.
The actor opened up about it all in an interview with The Guardian (via Mitu), stating that he has been living with anxiety for so long that he no longer knows who he would be without it. He is fully aware of the fact that this is a part of him that makes him, him. He stated,
Anxiety is something that I’ve lived with since I was a child, so it’s a part of my chemistry. I don’t know what kind of person I’d be without it. It’s something that I manage, but it’s also part of what makes me, me.
Pascal also admitted that there are moments where his anxiety actually helps him and keeps his career in check, stating that “there’s a certain level of anxiety that helps me do good work. It helps me be aware of the things I need to be aware of.” It’s always good to see actors, who seem invincible from afar, open up about their struggles. After all, celebrities are humans too.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released on July 25, 2025.
