Julia Garner recently spoke with ComicBook about her upcoming role as Silver Surfer in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps.’ Despite the early backlash regarding her casting, she expressed her excitement for the movie.
“I mean, just how big it is. It’s a big universe, and I feel so grateful I get to be a little part of it, to be honest,” the actress shared. “Everybody on that job, I think the casting is phenomenal and they’re so wonderful. And [director] Matt Shakman is amazing. I’m very excited.”
Marvel confirmed Garner as Silver Surfer in April, causing some controversy due to the character’s traditionally male portrayal by Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne in 2007’s ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.’ Later, it was revealed that the actress would play Shalla-Bal instead of a female version of Norrin Radd.
Shalla-Bal first appeared in 1968’s ‘Silver Surfer #1’ by Stan Lee and John Buscema as the Empress of Zenn-La who got her cosmic power from Norrin Radd to restore her planet to its former glory after Galactus’ attack. How her story will be adapted in the upcoming movie is unclear at the moment.
Garner will play Silver Surfer/Shalla-Bal alongside Ralph Ineson as Galactus, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch. The movie will also feature Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich in yet-to-be-revealed roles.
