July 14, 2025: Superhero cinema is having a wild year. With James Gunn’s Superman reboot sparking debate and Marvel’s surprise hit Thunderbolts winning hearts, all attention now shifts to Marvel’s next big swing: the Fantastic Four reboot. And at the center of the buzz? Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. The Ozark and The Wolf Man star is playing Shalla-Bal—a character from the comics often linked to Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer—as the cosmic herald in this fresh take. Julia Garner addressed the backlash surrounding her casting during the London premiere, simply stating, “I’m just going to still do my job.” She clarified that this version isn’t a gender-swapped Norrin Radd but a faithful adaptation of Shalla-Bal, who first appeared in The Silver Surfer #1 in 1968.
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Still, some fans weren’t thrilled. Comments on social media ranged from skeptical to harsh, questioning the character choice and accusing Marvel of pandering. However, a growing number of fans came to Garner’s defense, pointing out that the casting is indeed comic-accurate. “Not gender-swapped. It’s Norrin Radd’s wife,” one user clarified. Others criticized those who reacted negatively, calling them “fake fans” who haven’t done their comic homework.
Interestingly, the loudest critiques weren’t just about the casting—but the CGI. Several users noted poor visuals in the trailer, claiming the effects looked unfinished. “The CGI is the only problem,” read one comment. “It’s 2025, how does it look worse than 10 years ago?”
Set in a stylized 1960s retro-futuristic world, Fantastic Four will officially introduce the iconic team into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pedro Pascal leads as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), with Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Ralph Ineson stars as the villain Galactus, alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich.
With a July 25 release date, all eyes are on whether Marvel’s gamble with Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer—and its bold new direction—will pay off.