- Rising star Julia Garner set to play a version of iconic Marvel character
- Production on The Fantastic Four set to start this summer
- The Fantastic Four set to hit theaters in July 2025
Rising Hollywood star Julia Garner has been recruited to play a version of the Silver Surfer in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, according to reports.
Deadline reported that sources have said Garner will play Shalla-Bal, a version of the Silver Surfer from the comics.
If this report turns out to be correct, Garner will join a cast that already includes Pedro Pascal, who will play Reed Richards, also known as Mr Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/The Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing).
Matt Shakman is directing, while the script has been written by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Eric Pearson and Ian Springer.
Shalla-Bal has been part of Marvel comics since 1968. Originally, she was empress of the planet Zenn-La, and her lover was Norrin Radd. Radd made a deal with Galactus, the planet-eater, to spare Zenn-La, and Shalla-Bal, in exchange for becoming his herald, and thus becoming the Silver Surfer. In an alternative reality, she has also been a silver surfer. How this Shalla-Bal will be presented remains to be seen – whether she will be more like her comic book character, or more akin to the Silver Surfer.
Garner first came to widespread prominence when she won an Emmy for her work on Ozark, where she played Ruth in the crime drama. She also recently starred in The Royal Hotel and will soon be seen in the Blumhouse/Universal film Wolfman.
There will doubtless be more names confirmed in the coming months, with production set to start on the film in the summer. It is slated to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
Marvel Studios has so far refused to comment on the reports.
