The upcoming Marvel movie, The Fantastic Four, has cast Ozark star Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. This version of the character will be portraying Shalla-Bal, a female iteration who inherits the Surfer's powers. Shalla-Bal was originally introduced as the Surfer's lover in the comics.
While specific plot details of the movie remain scarce, there are intriguing connections between this version of the Silver Surfer and other prominent Marvel characters rumored to make their MCU debuts. In the comics, the original Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd, gained his powers from Galactus in exchange for finding planets for the villain to consume, ensuring the safety of his home planet Zenn-La and his beloved Shalla-Bal.
Given the speculation surrounding Galactus as the main antagonist of The Fantastic Four and the presence of Mephisto in MCU rumors, it is likely that elements of Shalla-Bal's story will be incorporated into the film.
The film, directed by Matt Shakman of WandaVision fame, is set in the 1960s and is rumored to involve the Fantastic Four battling Galactus in their own universe. Following a defeat and the impending destruction of their world, the team is thrust into the MCU due to multiverse incursions.
Julia Garner joins a cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular foursome. Filming is currently underway, with the movie slated for a July 2025 release.
