In an unconventional twist on the usual Hollywood publicity circuit, actors Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby faced a lively round of questioning from an unexpected source during a recent press event for The Fantastic Four: The First Steps. Instead of fielding repetitive inquiries from journalists, the film’s stars responded to queries posed by children in a lighthearted BBC Radio 1 segment. The approach offered a refreshing departure from formulaic promotional interviews, revealing candid—and at times amusing—glimpses into their experiences on set.
Press junkets, where actors answer a barrage of similar questions about their projects, are often criticized for their predictable nature. This time, however, organizers opted for spontaneity by inviting young participants to record questions. The resulting exchange ranged from cheeky—“Have you ever weed in a swimming pool?”—to disarmingly direct, such as whether the actors had ever been reprimanded during filming. Both Pascal and Kirby answered affirmatively to these, with Kirby clarifying that her on-set “telling off” involved lighthearted moments rather than serious disputes.
The strategy not only energized the interview process but also highlighted the stars’ ability to engage with humor and humility. Pascal, known for his roles in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, laughed off the swim-pool question with a candid admission, while Kirby, an Oscar-nominated actor, emphasized the playful dynamic among the cast and crew. Such unscripted moments humanize celebrities, offering audiences a break from polished promotional narratives.
While traditional junkets focus on plot details or production challenges, the child-led format shifted attention to relatable, personal anecdotes. Industry analysts suggest this approach could inspire more creative strategies to connect films with wider audiences, particularly families. The segment’s viral potential also underscores the value of authenticity in an era of carefully curated media interactions.
By blending humor with unexpected sincerity, the interview provided a memorable promotional boost for The Fantastic Four: The First Steps, while subtly challenging the entertainment industry’s reliance on routine publicity tactics. Whether this becomes a trend remains uncertain, but for now, it serves as a reminder that even seasoned actors can be delightfully upstaged by the unfiltered curiosity of children.
