The Fantastic Four: Julia Garner Takes on the Role of the Silver Surfer!
Based on speculation, the hero squad could have to deal with Doctor Doom and Galactus
Could we be getting a female version of the Silver Surfer in the "Fantasic Four"? Following much speculation beforehand, the rumors now seem to be proving true.
Industry magazine Deadline, for example, reports that "Ozark" actress Julia Garner has joined the cast of Marvel's "The Fantastic Four" in a very special role: that of the famous Silver Surfer. Strictly speaking, the role is that of Shalla-Bal, a specific version of the well-known comic book character.
Shalla-Bal was created in 1968 by the iconic creators Stan Lee and John Buscema for the comic "Silver Surfer #1". Originally, she was the lover of the familiar Silver Surfer, who travels through the vastness of the universe in the service of the villain Galactus and plays a key role in the adventures of the "Fantastic Four". Shalla-Bal is the ruler of their shared home planet Zenn-La. However, she later also travels to Earth to be reunited with her lover. There she is manipulated by Doctor Doom, and eventually also gains the Silver Surfer's powers.
At least that's what happens in the comic original. It's quite possible that director Matt Shakman and his screenwriters Josh Friedman and Jeff Kaplan took their inspiration from this storyline. Of course, this suggests that the "Fantastic Four" around Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach could actually meet Doctor Doom and/or Galactus - and the rumors about this don't stop. The original moreover leads us to believe that the original Silver Surfer will also play an important role - so it's unlikely to be a simple gender swap.
Filming is set to begin this summer. "The Fantastic Four" will then be released on July 25, 2025.
