Latest news with #Shalla-Bal
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Julia Garner spills on Silver Surfer secrets: 'I never looked so cool'
Julia Garner is enjoying her chrome era. There was instant fan love when Garner's Silver Surfer first appeared in a trailer for Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' (in theaters now). Since then, the character has inspired Instagram cosplayers as well as TikTokers meme-ing her in-movie message, heralding the coming of planet-devouring Galactus. 'I don't have a TikTok,' Garner says. 'People have been talking about TikTok. They're like, 'Did you know that this was going to be a thing on TikTok?' I'm like, no. I'm in disbelief that people even know me.' Playing the silver alien Shalla-Bal, though, 'I never looked so cool in my life,' Garner adds with a laugh. 'This looks almost like a Met Gala look or some high fashion thing.' Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Being in a Marvel movie is a departure for Garner, who won three Emmys for her role in the Netflix drama 'Ozark.' But she gets one heck of an entrance: In the retrofuturistic 1960s setting of 'Fantastic Four,' Shalla-Bal arrives in Times Square on a spiffy surfboard to warn that Earth is 'marked for death' and Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on the way. Since she's the one who identifies the planets that will be her boss' next meal, Shalla-Bal has a 'toxic relationship' with Galactus. 'There's no HR,' Garner quips. However, her connection with Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), the Human Torch and youngest Fantastic Four member, is one that's actually meaningful to her. 'She finds him amusing, but she doesn't really want to show him. Secretly, I think she likes the attention.' Garner, 31, who says she puts 'love, rage and secrets' in every role she plays, did a deep dive into Shalla-Bal's comic-book history. In Marvel lore, she was the lover of Norrin Radd, and when he agreed to be Galactus' herald (and the original Silver Surfer) to spare their planet Zenn-La, they were separated. The actress was most surprised by 'actually how tragic her story is. If this was a human, you would be like, it's devastating. So that really resonated with me and helped ground it.' One thing she didn't find going down that geeky rabbit hole: Her character inspiring the 1989 Joe Satriani guitar track 'Back to Shalla-Bal.' In 2007's 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,' Doug Jones played the Radd version of the Surfer. But director Matt Shakman wanted to use Shalla-Bal instead because 'First Steps' was a different universe than fans have seen – it takes place on Earth-828, as opposed to the MCU's Earth-616 – and that choice made for a 'really interesting story line' with Johnny. A lot of attention was paid to how the computer-generated Shalla-Bal would appear. Garner portrayed the Surfer via a motion-capture suit and a helmet with a GoPro-type camera attached, and it was important to Shakman that Shalla-Bal was shiny and 'completely reflective' but still 'emotionally powerful,' he says. Another fun fact: Copper veining was added to the Surfer's facade. 'There's a sense of old weathered metal in places, just this idea that she's been doing this a long time and she's gone through some pretty inhospitable environments. So there's a touch of history to her.' Shakman also hooked Garner up with surfing adviser Tehillah McGuinness to guide her with Shalla-Bal's movement. 'She surfs a neutron star. She surfs a wormhole, she surfs real water, she surfs lava. There's a lot of great ways to make use of her Surfer-ness in the movie,' the director says. With McGuinness' help, Garner learned how to feel comfortable and balanced on the board, 'and not look clumsy, like you're in control,' she adds. Garner, who next stars in the horror film "Weapons" (in theaters Aug 8), found ways to add her own secret sauce to the Silver Surfer. For the opening message to humanity, she studied how T.S. Eliot would read his own poetry. 'It was very eerie in a way but also comforting at the same time,' she says. To get in Shalla-Bal's mindset before takes, she'd listen to spacey '70s krautrock music ('I just imagined that that's what she would be surfing to') and also learned to speak her character's fictional native tongue, Zenn-Lavian. 'It's not as hard as you would think. It's not like learning Japanese or something,' Garner laughs. 'Would I want a monologue in Zenn-Lavian? No. But I can say a few lines.' And while Garner became the Silver Surfer, she hasn't tried out her newfound board skills in real life. Nor will she. 'The water that I enjoy is that kiddie water that doesn't have any sort of wave,' she says with a smile. 'I'm quite scared of waves.'
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fantastic Four's Silver Surfer 'backlash' explained and what fans really think it means
Marvel's new Fantastic Four film has already caused a stir over key character *This article may contain minor spoilers for Fantastic Four: First Steps* Marvel's latest entry into its cinematic universe has nearly arrived on the big screen and like a few before it has already been causing apparent controversies. However, the issue raised by a minority over a key character in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not so straight forward. Fans also have their own ideas and theories for the decisions being made by the filmmakers. The latest film is being directed by Matt Shakman, who is known for helming episodes of hit shows such as Game of Thrones, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Succession. Previously for Marvel, he also directed every episode of the series WandaVision. Fans will be treated to a new version of the Fantastic Four heroes, last seen on the big screen in 2007. when the characters were owned by Fox. This time, the lead roles are played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-bachrach. It was also revealed that the movie will feature a female Silver Surfer played by Julia Garner. Some corners were not pleased with this and it reportedly caused a backlash. During an event promoting the film, a reporter for a segment shared on BBC News asked Garner: "Your role received some backlash when it was first announced as a 'gender swap', followed by a very positive reaction with the trailer. How did you handle that initial reaction?" Garner responded: "Well, you know, the first one I was like I'm still just gonna do my job. And also it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different. And then you know, the second one I was just happy that people are resonating with it just like any other project so I'm just grateful to be at this dance to be honest." The star received plenty of praise following this response from fans, not only who support her casting but for being aware of the original character and comics. Who is Shalla-Bal? According to Marvel's bio of the character, Shalla Bal is a Zenn-Lavian, an extremely long-lived, race of humanoid aliens who generations ago achieved virtual utopia, having eradicated disease, poverty and other social ills. She falls in love with Norrin Radd, who is the original Silver Surfer in the comics. He is turned into the cosmic power being after offering to become Galactus' herald, in return for sparing Shalla-Bal's home planet. Footage from First Steps sees that Shalla-Bal has seems to be the one who has taken on this mantle instead. What do Marvel fans think about a female Silver Surfer? Fans think that the creatives at Marvel have done all this on purpose. Especially since the MCU has just come out of its Multiverse saga. Shalla-Bal is the Silver Surfer for a short time in the comic Earth X. This was a limited series which was set on an alternate Earth and portrayed a more dystopian Marvel universe. Some fans have theorised the new film could be doing something similar. A thread on Reddit suggests two possible reasons although be warned, they could be seen as potential spoilers if proved correct. The post said: "I understand the confusion on why they chose Shalla-Bal over Norrin Radd, which is the way more mainstream character, I have two theories on this topic. One: First Steps is set in another universe that'll eventually merge and be destroyed on Doomsday(or Secret Wars), I believe they're saving Norrin Radd for the main timeline." They continued: " Two: Shalla-Bal is the key to beating Galactus, she was chosen to relate most on Sue(who is starting a family), to be touched by the love of Sue and Reed, to be touched by their family dynamic as the four, and to be amazed at the birth of life. Remembering Norrin(who I assume has died because his power of Cosmic is passed to someone else) and her family through the four."
Pink Villa
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
What Does Julia Garner Think of Backlash Against Her Casting in Fantastic Four? Actress Says 'I'm Just Going to...'
Julia Garner is set to return to the screens with Marvel's upcoming movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The actress, ahead of the big release, has reacted to the backlash she has been receiving for the portrayal of Shalla-Bal in the Pedro Pascal starrer. Initially, when Garner joined the cast of the MCU film, fans believed that she would be playing the female version of Silver Surfer. However, when it was revealed that the Inventing Anna star would portray the role of the immortal Empress of Zenn-La and lover of the Silver Surfer/Norrin Radd, the actress was trolled by the fans online. Julia Garner's reaction to fans calling her out for playing Shalla-Bal In conversation with the BBC, Julia Garner claimed that she was going to do her job, despite the negativity. The actress explained, 'I'm just going to still do my job, and also it's Shalla-Bal so it's different.' However, the fans went on to resonate with the character soon enough, as the trailer of the film was dropped, and the trolling immediately died down. Further in the talks, the movie star shared, 'I was just happy that people are resonating with it, just like any other project. So I'm grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you.' As for Shalla-Bal, the character was first introduced in the Marvel comics in 1968. However, her live-action role had never previously appeared on the screen. Speaking about her character to Entertainment Weekly, the actress shared, 'I knew who the Silver Surfer was, and I got to know the Silver Surfer more when I signed on to the project. I really dived in.' She further added, 'I read a lot of the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer comics before starting the project, and I knew that this Fantastic Four was going to be told in a very different way than even the other movies.' For Fantastic Four, Garner and Pascal are joined by Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be out in theaters on July 25.
Buzz Feed
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Julia Garner Responds To Fantastic Four Silver Surfer Backlash
Julia Garner isn't losing sleep over what the critics have had to say about her casting in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In the newest take on the beloved Marvel comics, the titular Fantastic Four will be played by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and the film will see them defend Earth from Galactus and the Silver Surfer. If you're familiar with the Fantastic Four comics and the previous film adaptations, you'll know that the Silver Surfer has traditionally been depicted as a man. Memorably, in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the shiny humanoid alien character was played by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne. In light of this, there were some mixed responses when it was revealed that, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Silver Surfer would be played by a woman, Julia. For what it's worth, critics of the gender-swapped role predominantly changed their tune when the first trailer dropped and they actually got to see a glimpse of Julia in action. But, still, the initial pushback was there. And now, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps dropping later this month, Julia has addressed the discourse during an interview with the BBC at the film's London premiere, clarifying that she's been solely focused on putting her own spin on the iconic villain role. 'I said, 'I'm just going to still do my job,'' she told the outlet, laughing it off. 'Also, it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different.' In the 2007 Fantastic Four movie and in the original comics, the Silver Surfer is a young astronamer named Norrin Radd. Shalla-Bal is depicted in the comics as the love interest of Norrin, and so, in the new movie adaptation, Marvel Studios made the decision to make the Silver Surfer a woman by reimagining the character as Shalla-Bal. If you're confused, you can read a full breakdown of the Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer context here. When asked about the positive reception to the trailer, Julia then added: 'I was just happy that people are resonating with it, just like any other project. I'm grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you.' Well, I for one will be seated in the theater on July 25. You can watch Julia's interview with the BBC here.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Julia Garner defends her role as Shalla-Bal in Fantastic Four, fans come to her defence and trash Marvel's CGI instead
This year has been a rollercoaster for superhero films. James Gunn officially took over the DC Universe and released a new Superman that's been met with mixed reactions. Over at Marvel, fans are still riding high on the unexpected success of Thunderbolts*, a gritty anti-hero ensemble that's been praised for bringing fresh energy to the genre. But now, all eyes are on Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot—especially after the reveal that a woman is now playing the Silver Surfer. Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal Actor Julia Garner, best known for her roles in Ozark (2017) and The Wolf Man, is stepping into the role of the Silver Surfer. Some fans weren't thrilled about the gender switch, questioning why a traditionally male character wasn't being kept that way. But Garner? She's unfazed. Speaking to the BBC at the London premiere of Fantastic Four, the 31-year-old actor addressed the backlash head-on: 'I said, 'I'm just going to still do my job,'' she said, choosing to focus on the work rather than the noise. Garner also pointed out that her character is not a direct reimagining of Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer, but a different take altogether. 'Also, it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different,' she added. For those unfamiliar with the comics, Shalla-Bal first appeared in The Silver Surfer #1 in 1968. She's often portrayed as a female counterpart or love interest to Norrin Radd. This means that Garner's casting isn't a total rewrite, but rather a dive into a lesser-explored character from the source material. Netizens react Now, there were definitely a bunch of comments that trolled Garner's casting. 'Is there reason the more iconic version was not used?' was one comment on X. Another said, 'Poor herald choice to open the franchise with.' One more comment read, 'No. She is a terrible character. They didn't wanna a male herald. Fine. Pick a good female one. They couldn't even do that.' And since female characters taking on roles traditionally played by men are often met with resistance from cult audiences, it's no surprise Garner feels defensive about hers. But after a thorough scroll on social media, it's noteworthy that many of the comments were quite supportive of Garner's role, even going so far as to research the origin of her character, Shalla-Bal. 'Not gender swapped. It's Noran Radd's wife. Comic accurate,' said one. Another claimed, 'Comic accurate so the only people who care are outing themselves as fake fans.' One more comment said, 'People are unnecessarily upset about her casting. She is a great choice, and none of us has even watched the movie yet. Also, the Silver Surfer has a female version in the comics, and she is playing Shalla-Bal. Those who are complaining should take some time to read the comics before jumping to conclusions.' Furthermore, many are claiming that the outrage is not about the gender-swap, it's about the CGI. 'It's not about the Gender swap. It's the CGI,' claimed one comment on X. 'Only issue I see is how awful the CGI is- I can't believe that CGI seems to actually have gotten worse,' read another comment. About the film The upcoming film will mark Fantastic Four's official entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Set against a retro-futuristic 1960s backdrop, the movie will follow the group as they embark on some of their earliest missions. As for the cast, it's stacked with big names from the industry. Pedro Pascal stars 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). Ralph Ineson plays Galactus, with Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich rounding out the ensemble. The movie is set to release on July 25.
