THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Star Julia Garner Teases Her "Really Shiny" Take On The Fan-Favorite Hero

The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Julia Garner has talked more about her role as the Silver Surfer in the upcoming reboot, hinting at a "really shiny" take on the hero that lines up with the comics.

News

By JoshWilding - Jan 09, 2025 07:01 AM EST

Filed Under: Fantastic Four

Source: Entertainment Weekly

The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in an alternate reality, explaining why New York City has a futuristic 1960s aesthetic. Marvel's First Family will eventually join the Sacred Timeline, but exploring a different branch has given Marvel Studios some creative freedom with its reboot.

The team is going to battle Galactus and the Silver Surfer, with the latter set to be portrayed as a woman (a move inspired by the Earth X comic book). Ozark star Julia Garner is playing the character for what's expected to be a one-and-done appearance before Norin Radd is introduced.

Entertainment Weekly recently caught up with the Wolf Man star and asked what she could reveal about her take on the Silver Surfer.

"I can't really speak a lot about that project," Garner started. "All I can just say is that I'm very lucky to have a part in that project, and the Fantastic Four are fantastic. They are so amazing in this. I'm very excited for people to see them."

"I'm assuming that this Silver Surfer is gonna be really shiny like in the other previous ones and the comic books," she added. "So, yeah, that's all I'm gonna say."

Garner later said that The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Silver Surfer is the first role she's been approached for in the MCU. "I feel like a lot of it has to do with casting and what feels right," Garner explained, "but that's not just Marvel; that's any project. You need to connect with the character."

In a separate interview with ComicBook.com, the actor was asked what's surprised her most about joining this franchise. "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. 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."

While there's been the expected backlash to Garner's casting, there's precedent in the comics for a female Silver Surfer and it's going to be very interesting to see what she does with the character.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The movie is set to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025.

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THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS' Julia Garner Shares Excitement To Join The MCU As Silver Surfer

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132 Comments

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Comicmoviejunki - 1/9/2025, 7:16 AM

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NubaX - 1/9/2025, 7:19 AM

They should've "One & Done her AFTER Norrin Radd was introduced fisrt. Its already shakey with Reed's casting as it is.

Its like they tring tooooo hard to get the Ethnic Dollar instead of being true to the comics.

Malatrova15 - 1/9/2025, 7:21 AM

@NubaX - Señor Fantastico was always a latin lover...read the comics pal

RegularPoochie - 1/9/2025, 8:23 AM

@NubaX - I actually think it goes better this way. You can get the revengeful Norrin, because she dies.

ObserverIO - 1/9/2025, 10:49 AM

@NubaX - Technically, Norrin Radd was introduced first.

It does sorta connect to the MCU now we've seen Chris Evans Torch in the Void.

Malatrova15 - 1/9/2025, 7:20 AM

Watch hee get killed in this one and add the actual male Silver Surfer in the next Avengers

Vigor - 1/9/2025, 7:57 AM

@Malatrova15 - yup. And she's a powerful actress so I bet she will put in a memorable performance and actually will be missed. Making it tough for the next actor

Malatrova15 - 1/9/2025, 8:07 AM

@Vigor - not if they get Pablo Lyle for the role...but only If ..feige can afford him

WakandaTech - 1/9/2025, 7:21 AM

Fan favorite hero?

I doubt her character has any fans

If you mean, Norrin Radd silver surfer
yes he has many fans
but that is not the character in this movie

ObserverIO - 1/9/2025, 10:52 AM

@WakandaTech - "I doubt her character has any fans"

Wait until July.

harryba11zack - 1/9/2025, 7:23 AM

big silver space TOGTFO

HashTagSwagg - 1/9/2025, 7:36 AM

Vigor - 1/9/2025, 7:55 AM

@HashTagSwagg - love how it turns into an ironing board

MotherGooseUPus - 1/9/2025, 7:59 AM

@HashTagSwagg -

MatteMan - 1/9/2025, 8:10 AM

@HashTagSwagg - 😂😂😂

GodHercules20 - 1/9/2025, 12:47 PM

@HashTagSwagg - AI is still ass

HashTagSwagg - 1/9/2025, 12:50 PM

@GodHercules20 -

TheVisionary25 - 1/9/2025, 7:39 AM

Very interested to see Garner’s portrayal of this version of Shalla Bal/The Silver Surfer.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they combine the Earth X iteration of the character with another female character that became the Silver Surfer which was Hercules granddaughter, Juno…

She only ever appeared in a miniseries called “Hercules: Twilight of a God” and became Silver Surfer at the end but was known for her compassion & nobility which I could see being traits used for this version.

Anyway we’ll see , looking forward to the film overall!!.

TMW1987ProudProWrestlingFan - 1/9/2025, 7:44 AM

Silver Surfer cartoon does a much better telling of Shalla-Bal.

Couldn't have just done the same here & started with Norrin as the Surfer & Shalla as the love interest.

Thanks FOX for tarnishing Silver Surfer in a sucky movie!

Apophis71 - 1/9/2025, 9:39 AM

@TMW1987ProudProWrestlingFan - Ultimately hit on the main point here, if Fox hadn't done Silver Surfer in a film many have low opinions of with the world eater story they would have gone with Norrin even if then bringing along a variant of him for Secret Wars/616. As is with an alt timeline and past history there is a logic to do a one and done appearance where the lovers paths are flipped so that when we get their variants appear in multiple proects they are in the traditional roles without them being that close to their first appearance (during which they die/deleted) that it is confusing to any.

It likely isn't anyones preference but it makes a fair bit of sense (whilst going closer to a source accurate retrofuturistic 60's origin story in other ways rather than a third modern day setting version) to go another way with a similar already done story for the F4...

...cos most those early origin stories for the F4 were retconned out of being canon to the comic 616 too and this alternate universe will be erased, the Surfer along with it by the end of the film. It also will auto make Norrin's love interest a stronger, more interesting character from the start (IF done well) rather than the ussual easily forgotten mortal lovers to Supes that are just there (sometimes, oft mostly as damsel in distress) without much real purpose most of the time in the old CBM tropes we grew up getting.

Be interesting to see if we still GET Norrin in this in mortal powerless form who will soon take on the main timeline Silver Surfer variant and/or if we get him in that role (and/or the Fox version) in Secret Wars.

P.S. I did think it was WAY to soon to do Galactus, always gonna feel like it should be something that they should build towards rather than start with, however as ALL would expect that to be where they likely end up there is also a logic to get a version of it out of the way at the start too in a story where they ultimately fail. CAN still build towards a version where they win but gives more freedom to do what stories they feel better for a connected universe without that constant when are you gonna do this one pressure on their backs.

P.P.S. Be cool if off the back of this they do a new F4 animation series of their past on that alt timeline which spends time doing all the villains teased (and more) in the film if true they will briefly cover those past battles prior to retiring (then reforming to take on Galactus).

GiverOfInfo - 1/9/2025, 7:47 AM

"Fan favorite".....

No, that would be the Silver Surfer who is a man, aka the real Silver Surfer, not this DEI horseshit. Worst aspect of this movie, easily.

Reginator - 1/9/2025, 7:48 AM

after this and pedro cast as reed ill pass on this. hope after secret wars things are rebooted and they get casting done correctly.

DarthAlgar - 1/9/2025, 7:54 AM

@Reginator - Unless there's a massive overhaul internally I wouldn't count on it.

WEAPONXOXOXO - 1/9/2025, 8:06 AM

@Reginator - Maybe the trailer will change you mind.

GeneralZod - 1/9/2025, 8:13 AM

@Reginator - i don't know what the heck happened to Kevin Feige. And by that I mean watching 15-year old films like the first Iron Man and Cap First Avenger where they got the details right ... to this.

ElvenKingSlayer - 1/9/2025, 9:55 AM

@DarthAlgar - They did get rid of Alonso and Nate Moore is on his way out.

bkmeijer1 - 1/9/2025, 8:01 AM

Guess I'm one of the few that likes this or the Reed casting. And I hope she's gonna be silver and shiny. I doubt Marvel will make it skintight, but that would be great too.

TheVisionary25 - 1/9/2025, 8:19 AM

@bkmeijer1 - same

The Reed casting has really grown on me.

bkmeijer1 - 1/9/2025, 8:36 AM

@TheVisionary25 - same. Especially after some of the art showing him as Reed. I think it works with that 50s/60s look

GiverOfInfo - 1/9/2025, 9:31 AM

@bkmeijer1 - The Reed casting is awesome, just needs to shave. Of the four, the Ben Grimm casting is the biggest problem.

bkmeijer1 - 1/9/2025, 9:34 AM

@GiverOfInfo - I think Pedro can keep the moustache (if it's a pencil moustache). As for Ben, I don't really see the problem

GiverOfInfo - 1/9/2025, 9:39 AM

@bkmeijer1 - guy looks and acts nothing like Ben Grimm... with Reed, it's just a stache.

Clintthahamster - 1/9/2025, 9:51 AM

@bkmeijer1 - The vast majority of folks range from positive to indifferent on the casting decisions here. It's just that the minority of folks that hate it just won't stop screaming about it.

bkmeijer1 - 1/9/2025, 11:11 AM

@GiverOfInfo - in other projects, but we don't know how he'll act here. As for looks, to each their own I guess

ItsNotForMeWahh - 1/9/2025, 8:20 AM

It's clear that most would have preferred Norrin Radd, myself included, but she is a talented actress so let's see what she can do

Almost seems like engagement bait for the anti DEI and in the articles it seems like it is working

Ryguy88 - 1/9/2025, 8:35 AM

@ItsNotForMeWahh - anti-DEI = pro-merit

ItsNotForMeWahh - 1/9/2025, 8:37 AM

@Ryguy88 - k

Ryguy88 - 1/9/2025, 9:02 AM

@ItsNotForMeWahh -

ItsNotForMeWahh - 1/9/2025, 9:15 AM

@Ryguy88 - Yeah I know that projects with DEi have been sucessful and quality writing and performances are they key factors to success.

Ryguy88 - 1/9/2025, 9:22 AM

@ItsNotForMeWahh - quality writing and performances are the key... So how does DEI factor into this?

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THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Star Julia Garner Teases Her "Really Shiny" Take On The Fan-Favorite Hero

The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Julia Garner has talked more about her role as the Silver Surfer in the upcoming reboot, hinting at a "really shiny" take on the hero that lines up with the comics.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Ebon Moss-Bachrach On Doctor Doom, Andy Serkis' Help, And "It's Clobberin' Time"

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS' Julia Garner Shares Excitement To Join The MCU As Silver Surfer

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.