Pedro Pascal’s Subtle Brilliance Left Matt Damon Speechless
Pedro Pascal’s early days in Hollywood left a lasting impression on Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, long before his rise to stardom. Discover how a fleeting role hinted at his future success.
Long before Pedro Pascal became a household name, he managed to leave a mark on two of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces—Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Back in 2011, Pascal appeared in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it part in the film The Adjustment Bureau, directed by George Nolfi. The film, which hit cinemas on 4 March 2011, enjoyed a respectable run, earning over $126 million at the box office and securing a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, for Pascal, it was a minor role as a Maitre D’ that would quietly foreshadow his future in the industry.
During a recent chat on The Howard Stern Show, Damon reminisced about the experience. He described how both he and Blunt were taken aback by the authenticity and natural presence of the actor in that small part. At the time, neither had any idea who he was, but the impression lingered. Damon recalled:
I did a film with Emily Blunt called ‘The Adjustment Bureau’, and there was this throwaway part of a Maitre D’. It got cut out of the film. But I remember Emily and I went and sat down, you know, and this Maitre D’ walked away…We both looked at each other, and Em goes, ‘That guy’s really f*cking good.’ I said, ‘Yeah, what the f*ck. That guy was really good.’ There was something just incredibly interesting but real and natural…And years later, found out it was Pedro Pascal.
That fleeting moment was just a taste of what was to come. At the time, Pascal’s CV included only a handful of minor credits, but his understated performance clearly didn’t go unnoticed by those sharing the set.
Reuniting on a Grand Scale
Years down the line, Pascal and Damon would cross paths again—this time on a much larger stage. Both actors starred in The Great Wall, a fantasy epic helmed by Zhang Yimou. Here, Pascal took on the role of Pero Tovar, a Spanish mercenary, while Damon played William Garin, an Irishman. The pair found themselves locked up by imperial Chinese forces, only to join the fight against a rather unexpected alien menace.
Reflecting on their time together, Pascal described Damon as “one of the best guys I’ve ever met.” He admitted to feeling a bit star-struck when they first met on set, recalling the moment Damon introduced himself while Pascal was still in the makeup chair, donning a rather unflattering wig and beard. Despite their previous, brief encounter, Pascal assumed Damon wouldn’t remember him. To his surprise, Damon did, recalling the exact moment Pascal made him laugh during their scene in The Adjustment Bureau:
I had two lines in one of his films; he totally remembered. He was like, ‘You made me chuckle, you made me laugh when I sat down. And you made a joke when you sat me down, and I drink from the water, and you said something, and I spit out…’
Pascal couldn’t resist a playful jab at Damon’s long-time friend Ben Affleck, suggesting there might be a new best mate in town.
Pascal’s Meteoric Rise and Upcoming Projects
Fast forward to 2025, and Pascal’s career had well and truly taken off. That year alone, he featured in Eddington, Materialists, and made his much-anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Audiences were treated to his versatility across genres, and his turn as Renaldo on Saturday Night Live was widely celebrated as a highlight of the year.
Looking ahead, Pascal is set to return to the Star Wars universe, reprising his role in The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau and scheduled for release in May 2026. He’ll also be back in action for Avengers: Doomsday, joining his Fantastic Four colleagues to face a new threat, with the film slated for December 2026.
In addition, Pascal will lead Tony Gilroy’s drama Behemoth, stepping in for Oscar Isaac. The cast includes Eva Victor, Olivia Wilde, and Matthew Lillard, though David Harbour has reportedly exited the project due to personal reasons. A release date for Behemoth has yet to be announced.
From making a lasting impression in a role barely on screen to headlining some of the most talked-about projects in recent years, Pascal’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Which of his upcoming roles are you most looking forward to?