Julia Garner responds to Silver Surfer backlash in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps': 'I'm just going to do my job'
, the Emmy-winning star of 'Ozark' and 'Inventing Anna', is making her big Marvel debut as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer, in 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'. While many fans had hoped to see the traditional male Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd, Garner's casting initially faced some backlash.
But she's handled it all with calm and confidence.
'I'm just going to still do my job,' she said at the film's London premiere. 'It's Shalla-Bal, so it's different.'
A comic-accurate take on Shalla-Bal
Shalla-Bal first appeared in The Silver Surfer #1 back in 1968. In the comics, she's the Empress of Zenn-La and the love interest of Norrin Radd. In Marvel's alternate universe stories, she even becomes the Silver Surfer herself. This means Garner's role is true to the comics — it's not simply a gender swap, but a fresh take on an existing character.
Exploring the character's mystery
Speaking to the BBC, Garner admitted that when she was first offered the role, she questioned it herself. 'Wait, isn't the Silver Surfer a man?' she said. But after director Matt Shakman explained Shalla-Bal's rich backstory, she was all in.
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There's this mystery about her… this ambiguous energy of whether she's good or not,' Garner explained. 'She works for Galactus, but you're never quite sure where she stands.'
Her intriguing take on the character has already sparked fan theories and countless TikTok videos, with viewers praising her layered performance.
A fresh Fantastic Four universe
'Fantastic Four: First Steps' is set in a unique retro-futuristic world inspired by the 1960s, separate from the main MCU timeline. This has allowed the filmmakers to reimagine these classic characters in bold new ways.
The impressive cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mr.
Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. Supporting roles feature Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich.
Marvel's evolving stories
Julia Garner taking on Shalla-Bal shows Marvel's willingness to explore new stories while still respecting the comics. Her calm response to the early criticism is a reminder that what matters most is how truthfully and powerfully the story is told — not sticking rigidly to old expectations.
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