Julia Garner Joins Marvel Studios 'The Fantastic Four' As Silver Surfer

[Outsiders]

Deadline has reported that Julia Garner has been cast as Silver Surfer in Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four. Additionally, Pedro Pascal will portray Reed Richards (also known as Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby will take on the role of Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn will play Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is set to portray Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).

Garner has been cast to portray Shalla-Bal, a character based on Silver Surfer from the comics, in the upcoming film. The details of the plot are currently undisclosed.

The highly anticipated Fantastic Four movie will be directed by Matt Shakman, known for his work on WandaVision. The script for the film has been written by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Eric Pearson, and Ian Springer. Production is scheduled to commence in the summer, with the film expected to be released on July 25, 2025.

[tarot]

Oh this topic is going to be fun. Reminder to people, keep it polite.

[SUPREME007]

But what does this mean for Surfer is he going to be in the universe at all? Maybe years later like cmon. Cuz wasn't Shalla-Bal like his first love like he needs to be present. The MCU decision-making blowing my mind. And you already know people gonna flip because this is confirmed. I just want to see some Silver Surfer action man. 

[McHogan]

So ...not Silver Surfer? Did Shalla-Bal get cosmic powers? Maybe I'm reading this wrong

[AndyL]

Never heard of the actor. Is this some kind of What If twist? Why can't we just have the Silver Surfer we know? Better yet why not just make her Nova? No matter. The more and more I learn about this movie the more I feel we're in for another train wreck.

[Thwippersnapper]

Hmm I wonder if this will be some alternate reality situation? The og Silver Surfer is one of my all-time favorites on the short list; leaving him out would be a gigantic bummer!

[icematta]

On 4/3/2024 at 7:06 PM, AndyL said:

Never heard of the actor. Is this some kind of What If twist? Why can't we just have the Silver Surfer we know? Better yet why not just make her Nova? No matter. The more and more I learn about this movie the more I feel we're in for another train wreck.

Saw her in Ozark and Inventing Anna, she's not a bad actress, but I'm feeling perhaps Frankie Raye/Nova would have been better...

[Ironspider428]

Variant from a universe where Shalla-Bal became the Surfer instead of Norrin maybe? Interesting concept but still feels like a missed opportunity to have cast her as Frankie Raye...

Edit: After doing some research, it seems that she is in fact Silver Surfer in the comics from a different universe who coexists alongside Norrin as Surfer. So given the rumors that Fantastic 4 will take place in an alternate universe, Norrin could well still be the Surfer in the main universe in the MCU.

[frozentenderloin]

With the track record of past FF movies, as well as the MCU’s mostly lackluster output in recent releases (with a couple of exceptions) you’d think they’d want to play it a little more safe and stick to what Marvel fans would be most interested in seeing from the Fantastic Four. They seem to be under the notion that they have to twist things to keep the characters or stories interesting, but that simply isn’t true. A genuine Marvel fan would love to see a solid comic adaptation on the big screen. Not everything has to be a ‘“new” or an alternate take on things. They need to go back to basics and build from there imo.

[Hyperion]

Jeez, hasn’t even begun filming and it’s already trash. Can’t we just get comic accurate instead of woke re-imagining? Ugh…

[raziel0203]

In all honesty, I've always tried my best to maintain an openminded attitude toward the MCU. Following the climax of the Infinity Saga, I've tried to keep realistic expectations and not be overly critical. That being said, I was really hoping for some "return to form" with the Fantastic Four movie. I hope this casting is not an indication that we will be diverting too far from the classic Fantastic Four we all know and love.

[memocromatico]

This is interesting, I really love Silver Surfer and had no idea that this was a thing! I think it's really cool when they pull stuff like this out of left field. It doesn't always work, but I have faith this will.

We also have to remember that these aren't made for the fans, they're made to make money and the way to make money is to appeal to as broad an audience as possible while also catering to the source material. If the source material also has this character be Silver Surfer, we're just complaining it's not the version we wanted. I'm keeping my mind open and hopeful that this will be a good movie

[Air-Walker]

There are no reasons to make the Surfer female other than to be provocative for it's own sake and just plain lazy writing, and because of these I think they've shot themselves in the foot, or at least their big toe. Nova would have been more than fine. Yes, she's not as 'cool' or popular as the Surfer, but neither were the GotG before their live-action debut. Good writing would could have done the same for Nova: her powers and appearance are actually a lot more cinematic and arguably more terrifying than Norrin's in their way. Good writing and sfx could have made her look like an elemantal force of nature that no one in their right mind would want to be around.

But, there it is. It will be interesting to see how the audience ultimately responds. 

 

 

 

[leokearon]

Okay, I'm confused. They are making Shalla-Bal the Surfer? Clearly this is going to be some strange version of a What If where Shalla-Bal makes the deal with Galactus instead of Norrin. I'll be intrigued to see if this will actually change the Surfer's personality in any way.

[Ando_Calrissian]

Does anyone else feel like  marvel Studios and Kevin Feige are just trying to check off the boxes in their casting decisions? Remember when they were talking about making the thing a female, but this movie? 🤨🤨🤨

[GnarlyCharlie85]

👎

[MeGrimlock78]

Well, it's certainly a choice.

I'm not sure introducing a female surfer first is the way to go.  Alternate versions have more impact when they are different from what we know.  I know we all know Surfer is normally male, but how many movie goers know that?

[Hordak Rules]

The fact that it's Shalla-Bal makes me believe we may still see a Norrin Rad version down the road.  People are quick to poo-poo things.  Don't even know the whole story yet. 

[Hogun]

Here is a bright idea. If Marvel Studios wanted to use a female herald of Galactus. Why not use Frankie Raye? Why not use Stardust? A character who can identify as non-binary or gender-fluid. Given the comic book writers' own uncertainty regarding the latter's gender.

[since83]

On 4/4/2024 at 5:43 AM, MeGrimlock78 said:

Well, it's certainly a choice.

I'm not sure introducing a female surfer first is the way to go.  Alternate versions have more impact when they are different from what we know.  I know we all know Surfer is normally male, but how many movie goers know that?

I agree. I liked Dr Strange MoM, but alternate Mr Fantastic before we've even gotten one was weird, and way less impact full than they wanted it to be. The "real" character first, and then play with the idea through alternate universes and such can be fun. But stunts like this feel hollow. It's like they are just begging for backlash. 

As far as the constant sentiment that they aren't here to cater to comic fans.... A- they should, we are an instant source of money and the reason these thing are popular at all. And B-You don't have to be a hard-core comic fan to know Silver Surfer. He had his own cartoon and was in previous movies. This is a big part of what confuses casual fans and is more and more turning people away. Has anyone but me cringed at having to explain which Spider-Man you are talking about? "Well not the Garfield one, that's Amazing Spider-Man, I'm talking about the MCU...." you can just see the exhaustion in the person's face as they stop caring mid word. I would argue these "reimaginings" hurt way more than any perceived gains they get from them.

[AndyL]

On 4/3/2024 at 8:28 PM, icematta said:

Saw her in Ozark and Inventing Anna, she's not a bad actress, but I'm feeling perhaps Frankie Raye/Nova would have been better...

Ah, got it. Ozark is on my watch list. I'm still working my way through Shameless at this point. I'm sure she's a fine actress. It's just silly what they are doing here. I'm guessing since FF may be coming from another universe or maybe the Quantum Zone as many have speculated that this is just an alternate version. If not then seriously what is the point here? Other than Disney doing Disney. At least this time it's an actual distinct character that held the Power Cosmic. The just didn't do the typical Disney thing and rename Norrin Radd. Still it just makes more sense in every case to have just had her be Frankie Raye. They basically have the same costume but with different shades of shiny. I'm seriously interested in seeing how they pull it off. One thing I can be sure of is she will most likely not resemble the comic version in any way. Most likely she'll be a regular human with silver hair and full costume. Resembling Silver Sable more than Silver Surfer.

[Air-Walker]

On 4/4/2024 at 9:29 AM, since83 said:

I agree. I liked Dr Strange MoM, but alternate Mr Fantastic before we've even gotten one was weird, and way less impact full than they wanted it to be. The "real" character first, and then play with the idea through alternate universes and such can be fun. But stunts like this feel hollow. It's like they are just begging for backlash. 

As far as the constant sentiment that they aren't here to cater to comic fans.... A- they should, we are an instant source of money and the reason these thing are popular at all. And B-You don't have to be a hard-core comic fan to know Silver Surfer. He had his own cartoon and was in previous movies. This is a big part of what confuses casual fans and is more and more turning people away. Has anyone but me cringed at having to explain which Spider-Man you are talking about? "Well not the Garfield one, that's Amazing Spider-Man, I'm talking about the MCU...." you can just see the exhaustion in the person's face as they stop caring mid word. I would argue these "reimaginings" hurt way more than any perceived gains they get from them.

100% 

Catering to fans is what got them the love in the first place. That's what any smart director does when adapting a popular mythology. Unfortunately, too many if not most directors give in to the temptation of doing their own thing with someone else's story, and thus here we are. 

Actually, in this case, this is really just a stunt, nothing more. They're pulling a stunt to get people's attention.

[Emnems80]

Holding off on my opinion until the movie comes out.

[Lord_Scareglow]

On 4/4/2024 at 12:34 PM, Emnems80 said:

Holding off on my opinion until the movie comes out.

Exactly.

no point in flailing yer arms about this right now, in the end it will boil down to the end results, and you can only hope Marvel Studios will make the right decisions

Julia Garner is a good actress, I mean I've only seen her in Ozark, but she is great in that, She certainly can do unexpected menacing and angry well.

I don't care what Marvel is doing anymore Until I see what they did.

[GrtWhiteCustoms]

I ,for one,am TOTALLY against this casting choice. Yes she's a great actress but Silver SURFER is a male! Yes I know ...it may be an unpopular opinion but stick to the freaking source material at least a bit! That's what made the movies possible!! Now ...."Flame on!"