The verdict is out, and both enthusiasts and reviewers are enchanted by *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. This MCU revival of the frequently faltering superhero family saga has won over viewers with its delightful retro-futuristic aesthetic, an impressively formidable antagonist, a challenging ethical dilemma, and an ensemble cast featuring Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Pedro Pascal. Nonetheless, it’s lacking that captivating moment that could have ingeniously reinterpreted the early MCU spectacle.

Do you recall when the MCU’s typical imagery included an occasional thirst trap moment, often showcasing its male hero flaunting his physique, bare-chested?

Iron Man did it during his first appearance in the MCU while adjusting his arc reactor. Captain America drew attention to his supersoldier serum transformation, primarily through his newly enhanced muscles. Thor appeared shirtless clad in black denim in his debut film. The Hulk revealed Mark Ruffalo’s chest hair in *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (and its CGI recreations repeatedly). Ant-Man displayed chiseled abs while addressing deliberately positioned scratches. It was a trend that faded as sequels piled up and films took a more serious tone. (I clearly recall the collective letdown when, in *Captain America: Civil War*, Cap attempted to prevent a helicopter from taking off with his bare hands, yet kept his shirt on.)

Perhaps such overt appreciation for finely sculpted bodies has fallen from grace. However, there was a straightforward way for the MCU to revive its thirst traps in *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. And Pedro Pascal didn’t even have to go shirtless to achieve it. He just needed to unbutton a bit.

Pedro Pascal ought to have rolled up his sleeves in *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*. Literally.

Why? Because it’s appealing. And that’s not just my perspective.

In 2015, Buzzfeed recognized the appeal of rolled-up shirt sleeves on men-lovers with an article titled “Because he looks sexy with his ~sleeves~ pushed back.” There are Reddit discussions on this subject and TikTok trends overflowing with desire. Men’s Health highlighted the charm of rolled-up sleeves in 2021, stating, “It signifies strength, safety, and a metaphorical unbuttoning: Here, the forearms say, is a man who’s ready to get his hands dirty and put in the effort.”

It’s a scientific fact that for those who find men attractive, a man rolling up his shirt sleeves is enticing. The reasoning might be contested. But there’s an element to it that grants an otherwise scholarly man a clandestine ruggedness. Think Indiana Jones (who also tapped into the alluring trope of “slutty little glasses”). Sure, this professor/adventurer looks suave in his leather jacket. But when it came to the illustrated poster of *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, the marketing team knew what appeals: rolled-up sleeves!

*The Fantastic Four: First Steps* presented the ideal (yet missed chance) for a thirst trap.

Director Matt Shakman was tantalizingly close to weaving this beloved trope into his *Fantastic Four* reboot. A scene exists where it would have been entirely fitting for the brilliant Mr. Fantastic to literally roll up his sleeves as he did metaphorically.

In this moment, Reed Richards, attired in a blazer, slacks, dress shirt, and tie, stands before a blank chalkboard, prepared to devise a method for vanquishing Galactus. Then Reed takes off his blazer, presumably to signal he’s getting serious. It’s an effective storytelling visual, indeed. But Shakman could have infused some allure by merely directing Pascal to roll up those dress shirt sleeves! We’d welcome a long shot. We’d adore an insert, just a glimpse of forearm as Reed jots on the chalkboard, Pascal’s face in a sincere profile. It could have been simple, alluring, and sublime.

Now, there is a scene where Reed and Sue contemplate their choices for saving their child’s life, and in it, Reed’s sleeves are rolled up. But *First Steps* doesn’t emphasize it like it did the bare-chest reveals. It’s straightforward, not thirst-trapping. And yes, considering the context of this intense scene, that’s logical. But as this movie as a whole indicates, there’s space for levity — and desire! — in the MCU’s new era. So more of that, please.

With *Fantastic Four: First Steps*, there’s a path to a renewed MCU. It need not provide the (arguably) cheap thrills of shirtless superheroes that the earlier waves afforded us. But it could discard the somberness and chastity that’s rendered the post-snap films such a drag. And maybe it could initiate with a thirst-trapping sleeve roll?

We’ll next see Pascal as Reed in *Avengers: Doomsday*. Perhaps then would be an opportune moment to compensate for this missed chance? Come on, Mr. Fantastic. Do it for the girls and the gays.

*The Fantastic Four: First Steps* is now showing in theaters.