Emmy-winning actress Julia Garner has been cast as the Silver Surfer in Marvel Studios' upcoming 'The Fantastic Four' film, sources confirm. Garner will portray Shalla-Bal, a lesser-known version of the iconic comic book character, while Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach take on the roles of the four core superheroes.
The film, directed by Matt Shakman ('WandaVision'), is set to begin production this summer and is slated for release on July 25, 2025. The script is penned by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Eric Pearson, and Ian Springer, though plot details remain under wraps.
Garner, best known for her role as Ruth in Netflix's 'Ozark', has won three Emmys and was nominated for her portrayal of Anna Delvey in 'Inventing Anna'. Her upcoming projects include 'Wolfman' opposite Christopher Abbott and the thriller 'Apartment 7A'.
The casting choice has sparked debate among fans. Some have criticised the decision to use Shalla-Bal rather than the traditional male Norrin Radd, with one commenter calling it 'doomed' and another expressing disappointment. However, others have defended the move, noting that Shalla-Bal is indeed a canonical character in Marvel comics, albeit a minor one.
