Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby Spark Romance Rumors with Flirty Red Carpet Behavior

Los Angeles, CA – July 29, 2025 – The red carpet for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been ablaze with more than just superhero hype, as co-stars Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby have fans buzzing with their undeniably chemistry-filled interactions. Playing the iconic on-screen couple Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman), the duo’s tactile and playful behavior during the film’s promotional tour has sparked widespread romance rumors, despite Kirby’s engagement to retired lacrosse player Paul Rabil.

At the film’s world premiere on July 21, 2025, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, Pascal and Kirby were spotted sharing affectionate moments that quickly went viral. From gentle hand-holding to Kirby stroking Pascal’s arm and neck, their interactions were captured in a series of clips that amassed over 50 million views on X. One notable moment during a Vanity Fair interview on the blue carpet saw Pascal playfully placing his hands on Kirby’s waist, joking, “You can’t leave me alone that long!” prompting laughter from Kirby and fueling fan speculation.

Social media reactions have been polarized. Some fans found the gestures heartwarming, with one X user commenting, “If she don’t care that’s all that matters,” defending the duo’s close bond. Others, however, questioned the appropriateness of their behavior, given Kirby’s pregnancy and engagement to Rabil. A viral post on X, liked by over 400,000 users, read, “If my wife was doing this with her coworker I’d k*ll myself in a public space,” highlighting the controversy.

Pascal, 50, has been open about using physical touch to manage his social anxiety, a trait he’s discussed in interviews with Men’s Health and The Guardian. He explained that he often places his hand on his torso to calm himself during high-stress red carpet events, a habit he’s also shared with co-stars like Bella Ramsey during The Last of Us promotions. Kirby, 37, has supported this narrative, noting in a Vanity Fair interview that their hand-holding at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024 was a mutual gesture of support: “We were both incredibly nervous going out in front of thousands of people who love this comic. He wanted me to know that we were in this together.”

Despite the rumors, both actors have emphasized their professional and platonic bond. In a Collider interview, Pascal praised Kirby as a “powerful woman” who inspired him, while Kirby highlighted their months-long preparation to build the authentic chemistry needed for their roles as Reed and Sue. “We love each other so much,” Kirby told the Associated Press, describing Pascal as a “generous, wonderful friend.”

Hollywood PR experts suggest that such red carpet chemistry is often a strategic move to generate buzz for a film. Steve Honig, founder of The Honig Company, told Fox News Digital, “There are many ways co-stars can show chemistry on the red carpet without crossing the line into something that might be construed as inappropriate. The key is to keep it fun and light.” However, he cautioned that such tactics can backfire, as seen in the mixed reactions to Pascal and Kirby’s interactions.

The controversy has been further complicated by a deepfake video circulating online, falsely depicting Pascal attempting to kiss Kirby, which some fans mistook as real. This has led to accusations of a “smear campaign” against Pascal, with supporters arguing that the backlash misrepresents their genuine friendship.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters, the focus remains on Pascal and Kirby’s on-screen chemistry, which early reviews praise as a highlight of the film. Off-screen, their close friendship continues to captivate audiences, leaving fans to debate whether it’s simply a case of two anxious actors supporting each other or something more. For now, Kirby remains happily engaged to Rabil, with whom she is expecting her first child, and Pascal continues to keep his personal life private, letting the speculation swirl.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters worldwide.