It’s time to stop freaking out every time there’s a casting announcement. C’mon. We can be adults. The cast of Marvel Studio’s Fantastic Four (2025) appeared complete when Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing casting were announced. But a new name has been added in Julia Garner as Silver Surfer.
Deadline reported that Fantastic Four will start filming this summer, with a release date set for July 25, 2025. The movie will be directed by Matt Shakman (known for his work on WandaVision) from a screenplay written by Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, and Ian Springer. The trade has precious little to add besides Garner’s hiring. But it does note that “sources say Garner will play Shalla-Bal, a version of Silver Surfer from the comics.” That’s the part that has everyone buzzing.
If Garner’s name has been popping up lately, it’s probably because the three-time Emmy winner (for her work on Netflix’s Ozark) is also starring in Wolf Man, a film from Blumhouse and Universal. It was originally slated to star Ryan Gosling but will now be starring Christopher Abbott from Poor Things. Wolf Man is directed by Leigh Whannell, who previously made The Invisible Man (2020). That release is due in January 2025. Garner’s big year is 2025, if everything goes according to schedule.
The casting for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, set to release on July 25, 2025, was first announced by Deadline. Matt Shakman, who previously directed WandaVision, will helm the film, and production is scheduled to begin this summer. The screenplay was written by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. According to sources, the only notable casting news is that Jennifer Garner has been hired to play the character of Shalla-Bal, who is a version of Silver Surfer from the comics.
Of course, as soon as an actor is announced to play a role slightly different from the comics the Internet goes nuts. In this case, there are cries that this is another example of Disney’s “woke” casting. Incels will complain about DEI. But that initiative is all about. However, the main goal of that project is to provide financial and professional opportunities to individuals who have been intentionally shut out of the social and economic systems in which they participate and live. So, despite what incel keyboard warriors think, DEI is a good thing economically and socially.
So is Marvel trying to turn the Silver Surfer into a woman? Let’s break down where they’re wrong.
Who is Silver Surfer?
The Silver Surfer is a fictional character that appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. This character has also been featured in video games, television shows, and film adaptations. The character was created by Jack Kirby and made his first appearance in the 1966 comic book Fantastic Four #48.
The humanoid alien, known as the Silver Surfer, travels through space on a surfboard-shaped vehicle. His skin is metallic. He was once a young astronomer on the planet Zenn-La by the name of Norrin Radd, and as Galactus’ herald, he protected his homeworld from the planet devourer. Granting him a new body, enormous power, and the ability to travel faster than light on a surfboard-like vessel, he was given a piece of Galactus’ Power Cosmic in exchange. He wandered the universe, now known as the Silver Surfer, looking for planets for Galactus to eat. In an alternate reality of Earth, a new Galactus is created by Silver Surfer and the High Evolutionary in Universe-X. Using Reed Richard’s son Franklin they speed up his evolution and transform him into that reality’s “Devourer of Worlds”. As a second Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal is shown to be accompanying him, acting as the twin heralds of the second Galactus. Just like in the Eternals movie, Marvel is introducing a massive character like the Celestials.
The idea of a planet-sized giant wearing purple pants could be hard to accept. If Marvel does it wrong it’ll look silly. But if they do it right it would be amazing.
Is Silver Surfer Being Replaced with a Girl?
A common complaint is they’re replacing Silver Surfer with a woman. While it’s true according to Deadline she’ll be playing “a version of Silver Surfer” there’s no reason to believe Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer won’t appear. This could be the first introduction to that storyline.
They could be doing something similar to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Unlike previous incarnations, we meet Peter Parker after his origin. We never hear Uncle Ben’s name or even how Parker becomes Spider-Man in his first appearance. This could be the first introduction to Galactus and Silver Surfer.
Perhaps in the new Fantastic Four movie, the team could cross paths with Shalla-Bal, who could inform them about Galactus. Later, it could be revealed that she is replacing a previous herald who deserted him. Galactus and Norrin Radd would not appear in the film, setting up their introduction in a future movie similar to Spider-Man’s.
Or it could be a fake-out. Maybe she’s a fake herald of Galactus. They did this with the Mandarin. He first appears in Iron Man 3 (although the Ten Rings appear in Iron Man). Then he gets reintroduced in Shang-Chi. We could see Galactus and the Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four 3 or Avengers 5.
But even if Norrin Radd never shows up it’s not a big deal. It’s not like there’s never been a female herald of Galactus. He’s had many over the years and two were women. Specifically Nova and Stardust. Both are awesome.
Everyone can calm down. This could be the worst thing in the MCU like the Eternals or the best thing in the MCU like Spider-Man. Either way, let’s wait and see before forming opinions and looking like incel morons.
What do you think? Is it time to start freaking out about Silver Surfer being a woman? Who do you think should play Galactus? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Deadline
