If you feel like you can't turn on a screen without seeing Pedro Pascal’s face, you’re basically right. He’s everywhere. Honestly, it’s getting a little ridiculous, but in the best way possible. From the gritty survivalism of The Last of Us to the high-flying antics of the Star Wars universe, the man is booked and busy. But if you think he’s just coasting on his "Internet Daddy" status, you've got it all wrong. His upcoming slate for 2026 and beyond is actually a massive pivot into heavy-hitter franchise territory that most fans haven't fully wrapped their heads around yet.
The "Pascal-issance" isn't slowing down. It's evolving.
The Reality of Pedro Pascal New Films and the 2026 Takeover
The biggest thing people get wrong? Thinking he’s still just a TV guy. While The Last of Us Season 2 literally just wrapped its run on HBO in May 2025—with that brutal Joel and Ellie arc that left everyone a mess—Pascal is moving his permanent residence to the big screen. Specifically, he's becoming the face of the two biggest cinematic universes in history simultaneously.
By the time May 2026 rolls around, we’re looking at a level of market saturation that would make 1990s Tom Cruise jealous.
Marvel’s First Family and the Doomsday Factor
Let’s talk about Reed Richards. Last year, The Fantastic Four: First Steps hit theaters in July 2025. It was a weird, 1960s-retro-future vibe that split some critics but proved one thing: Pedro can lead a tentpole. But the real meat of his Marvel contract kicks in now.
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He is set to co-lead Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated for a May 1, 2026 release. It’s a huge deal. Why? Because he’s going toe-to-toe with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. This isn’t a cameo. As the leader of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards is basically the emotional core of this new phase. If you thought the "Smartest Man Alive" title was just a gimmick, wait until you see him try to outmaneuver a multiversal threat.
The Return of the Mando
Just three weeks after Doomsday drops, Pedro is hitting the hyperdrive. The Mandalorian & Grogu is officially scheduled for May 22, 2026.
It’s the first Star Wars movie in seven years.
Seven years.
That’s a hell of a lot of pressure for a guy who spends half his time behind a silver helmet.
There was a lot of talk about whether he’d even be in the suit, or if he’s just doing the voice-over work while body doubles like Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder do the heavy lifting. But director Jon Favreau has been pretty clear: this is a cinematic expansion. We’re likely seeing more of Din Djarin's face as he navigates the New Republic’s messy politics. It’s basically the "Mandoverse" climax we’ve been waiting for since 2019.
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The A24 Side Quest: Eddington and Materialists
While the blockbusters pay the bills, Pascal has been sneaking in some of the most bizarre indie work of his career. If you missed Materialists when it hit theaters in June 2025, you missed a total pivot.
Directed by Celine Song (the genius behind Past Lives), it was a rom-com where Pedro played a guy named Harry who—spoilers—had leg-lengthening surgery just to be "more attractive" in the dating market. It was weird. It was uncomfortable. And it grossed over $100 million because people wanted to see Pedro, Chris Evans, and Dakota Johnson in a messy New York love triangle. It proved he can do "human" just as well as he does "hero."
Then there’s Eddington. Ari Aster’s neo-Western was the talk of Cannes 2025.
Pedro played Mayor Ted Garcia.
It’s a COVID-era political thriller.
He spent the whole movie screaming at Joaquin Phoenix’s Sheriff character about mask mandates in a small New Mexico town. It’s dark, it’s violent, and it shows a side of him that isn't the "charming protector." It’s Pedro as a politician you kind of want to punch, which is a testament to his range.
Why He Dropped Out of "Weapons"
One thing fans keep asking about is why he left Zach Cregger’s horror flick Weapons. Cregger (who directed Barbarian) was pretty vocal about the "turmoil" the 2023 strikes caused. Basically, the delay pushed everything into 2024 and 2025, and Pedro’s schedule just snapped.
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He had to choose between a cool indie horror and The Fantastic Four.
Marvel won.
Josh Brolin stepped in to play the lead role of Archer Graff. It’s a bummer, because seeing Pedro in a "gonzo" horror movie would have been a trip, but that’s the price of being the most in-demand man in Hollywood.
What's Actually Next? (The 2027 Horizon)
Looking past the 2026 madness, the workload doesn't actually stop.
- Avengers: Secret Wars (May 2027): This is the big one. He’ll be back as Reed Richards for what is essentially the "Endgame" of the Multiverse Saga.
- The Last of Us Season 3: HBO already confirmed this. Since Season 2 only covered about half of the second game's massive plot, Season 3 will finish it off. We’re likely looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere for that.
- The "Mandoverse" Crossover: Dave Filoni is still working on that untitled Star Wars film that ties Ahsoka and The Mandalorian together. Expect Pedro to be the anchor there, too.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Investors
If you're trying to keep up with Pedro Pascal new films without getting overwhelmed, here’s how to navigate the next 18 months:
- Mark May 2026 on your calendar. It is statistically the "Month of Pedro." If you’re a theater owner or a stock watcher, Disney (Marvel + Star Wars) is betting the entire summer on his face.
- Watch the indies for the "Real" Pedro. If the CGI-heavy Marvel stuff feels too hollow, go back and find Materialists or Eddington on streaming. That’s where he’s doing his most nuanced acting.
- Don't expect "The Last of Us" Season 3 anytime soon. Production on these massive HBO shows takes forever. You’ve got a long wait ahead before we see the conclusion of the Abby/Ellie/Joel saga.
The reality is, we are living in a monoculture where one man is holding up three of the biggest intellectual properties on the planet. It’s a heavy lift. Honestly, I don't know when he sleeps. But as long as he keeps picking scripts that balance the "superhero" with the "deeply flawed human," we’re the ones who win.
Keep an eye on the trades for the official Secret Wars production start dates—that will be the final indicator of just how much more "Reed Richards" we’re getting before he finally takes a vacation.