The Fantastic Four has reportedly cast its Silver Surfer, potentially confirming a persistent fan theory in the process. Deadline reports that the upcoming MCU reboot directed by Matt Shakman has chosen Julia Garner for the role of the classic villain, seemingly lending weight to the growing belief among some fans that the new movie is set in an alternate version of the MCU.
Garner, best-known for her Emmy-winning turn as Ruth in Ozark, will reportedly play Shalla-Bal, who was first introduced as Norrin Radd's lover in Silver Surfer #1. However, the Deadline report notes that she is playing an alternate version of the Silver Surfer, suggesting that this is the version from Earth-X — one of Marvel's most notable alternate realities.
While Fantastic Four plot details remain under wraps for now, the casting rumor suggests that Garner will play a version of Shalla-Bal who serves as a Herald of Galactus alongside the Silver Surfer, centering Marvel's alternate reality over its traditional continuity.
IGN has reached out to Disney for comment.
Garner joins a cast featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as Marvel's most famous family. Fans have speculated that the movie takes place in a version of the 1960s based on an early promo image in which The Thing is reading a famous issue of Life magazine.
Marvel is seeking to reboot the The Fantastic Four, which returned to Marvel's movie portfolio after Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. A previous film, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, told a more traditional Silver Surfer story than the one that Marvel seems to have in the works. At the time we called it far superior to the first film, though neither are particularly well-remembered by fans.
We'll see how Marvel's take on the series when it releases on July 25, 2025. In the meantime, check out our complete list of every upcoming Marvel movie and TV project for 2024.
Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
