Julia Garner debuts as first female Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal, in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'

Marvel Studios has confirmed that Julia Garner will portray the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for release on 25 July 2025.

This casting marks the first time a woman plays the role, with Garner appearing as Shalla-Bal, a lesser-known Marvel character now reimagined in a central position.

The announcement was made with the release of the film’s first trailer, where Shalla-Bal warns, “Your planet has been marked for death.” Traditionally depicted as Norrin Radd, the Silver Surfer’s new incarnation adds a fresh narrative direction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, aligning with Marvel’s move to diversify its character portrayals.

The film, directed by Matt Shakman, is set in a retro-styled version of 1960s Manhattan. It introduces Marvel’s First Family into the MCU for the first time. The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Ralph Ineson voices the cosmic antagonist Galactus.

While the reboot stands apart from previous Marvel films, it connects indirectly to future titles including Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, both expected in 2027. Early trailer speculation also hints at a storyline involving Sue Storm’s pregnancy, potentially leading to the introduction of Franklin Richards.