Pedro Pascal’s Early Talent Left Matt Damon and Emily Blunt Speechless
Before Pedro Pascal became a Hollywood sensation, his brief role in The Adjustment Bureau left a lasting impression on Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Discover how Pascal’s early performance hinted at the stardom that awaited him, and what’s next for the acclaimed actor.
Long before Pedro Pascal became a household name, he managed to leave a mark on two of Hollywood ’s biggest stars—Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Years before his meteoric rise, Pascal landed a small part in the 2011 film The Adjustment Bureau, directed by George Nolfi. The movie, which hit theaters on March 4, 2011, earned a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.0/10 on IMDb, grossing over $126 million at the box office.
During a recent appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Damon shared a story about a minor role in the film that was mostly cut from the final version. He recalled how both he and Blunt were immediately struck by the actor ’s presence, even though they had no idea who he was at the time. Damon said,
I did a movie with Emily Blunt called ‘The Adjustment Bureau’, and there was this throwaway part of a Maitre D’. It got cut out of the movie. 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.
At that point in his career, Pascal had only appeared in a handful of small roles, including parts in Sisters and I Am That Girl. But even with limited screen time, his natural charisma and authenticity stood out to seasoned actors like Damon and Blunt.
Reuniting on The Great Wall
Years after their brief encounter, Pascal and Damon crossed paths again, this time as co-stars in the action- packed film The Great Wall, directed by Zhang Yimou. In the movie, they played mercenaries—Pero Tovar and William Garin—who find themselves imprisoned by Chinese forces and ultimately join the fight against a monstrous threat.
Reflecting on their time together, Pascal described Damon as one of the best people he’s ever met. He remembered their first meeting on set, saying he was genuinely starstruck when Damon introduced himself while Pascal was getting into character with a wig and beard.
And so, it was a special experience for me because I was in my makeup chair…putting on this disgusting wig and beard and stuff that you see in the movie, and he rolled in to say hi and introduced himself. I was starstruck.
Pascal also recalled that Damon remembered their earlier work together, despite Pascal’s role being so minor. Damon even brought up a moment from The Adjustment Bureau, saying,
I had two lines in one of his movies; 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 joked that Damon’s longtime friend Ben Affleck might have some competition for the title of best friend.
Pascal’s Upcoming Projects and Hollywood Momentum
By 2025, Pascal’s career had reached new heights. He starred in Eddington, Materialists, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, marking his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans embraced his performances across genres, and his comedic turn as Renaldo on Saturday Night Live became a standout moment of the year.
Looking ahead, Pascal is set to reprise his role in the Star Wars universe with The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau and scheduled for release on May 22, 2026. He’ll also join the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, returning as part of the Fantastic Four team for the film’s December 18, 2026 premiere.
In addition, Pascal will lead Tony Gilroy ’s drama Behemoth, stepping in for Oscar Isaac. The film will also feature Eva Victor, Olivia Wilde, and Matthew Lillard, though David Harbour recently exited the project due to personal reasons. A release date has yet to be announced.
From making a lasting impression in a blink-and-you-miss role to headlining major blockbusters, Pascal’s journey is a testament to his talent and determination. Which of his upcoming films are you most excited to see?