Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer Casting in Fantastic four: First Steps Confused Her

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Summary

  • Julia Garner was surprised to play a female Silver Surfer in Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot.
  • The movie will feature Shalla-Bal, Empress of Zenn-La and Norrin Radd’s lover.
  • Some fans weren’t happy with the gender-swap, but a female Silver Surfer exists in comics.

Julia Garner openly discussed her experience playing a role in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. She confessed that she was taken aback by her character, as she initially believed Silver Surfer to be male.

This year, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” marks the third film from Marvel Studios. Previously, fans saw Anthony Mackie step into Chris Evans’ shoes for “Captain America: Brave New World” in February. In the coming week, audiences can expect “Thunderbolts.” As we move towards July, a fresh take on the Fantastic Four will grace our screens with a female Silver Surfer, played by Garner, making her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The actress from “Ozark” has spoken about her role and shared her initial thoughts.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Garner opened up about her experience playing the live-action character Shalla-Bal, revealing that it offered a stark contrast to her past roles, which piqued her interest. Moreover, she expressed a desire to explore various genres, as Marvel caters to diverse audiences, making the Marvel Cinematic Universe an allure for the actress. During the interview, Garner shared that she had a foundational knowledge of certain comic characters from both Marvel and DC, understanding their unique characteristics, including the Silver Surfer. Upon meeting with director Matt Shakman at a restaurant, she initially believed it was related to the Fantastic Four, but was taken aback when she discovered she had been cast as the Silver Surfer instead. She confided in Entertainment Weekly about her initial confusion.

Initially, I was taken aback, thinking to myself, “But isn’t the Silver Surfer a male character?” However, I quickly decided, “Alright, I’m up for playing any role.

Regardless of any initial bewilderment, Garner has consistently regarded Shakman as an intelligent director and appreciates his work. During their encounter, Shakman informed her that she would portray Shalla-Bal. Admittedly unaware of the character or the existence of another Silver Surfer version, she hinted that the best aspect of the comics remains captivating when observed on screen. Shalla-Bal is the Empress of the idyllic planet Zenn-La and Norrin Radd’s lover. Norrin is the original Silver Surfer who willingly assumes the role as Galactus’ herald to save Zenn-La. Although Shalla-Bal does not adopt that role in Earth-616, she takes on the Silver Surfer position in various alternate realities. In Earth-9997, as depicted in the Earth X series, Shalla-Bal becomes a herald of Galactus alongside Norrin.

First Steps introduces this new information to many. There are still plenty of comic details known only to enthusiasts, and it’s common for characters to gain popularity following their big-screen debut. This development aligns with the MCU’s recent focus on exploring the multiverse.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

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2025-04-25 19:48