Silver Surfer and female silver surfer Shalla Bal

After rumors in April that Disney would cast Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer in the upcoming MCU film Fantastic 4: First Steps, Marvel made it official yesterday with an official synopsis for the movie.

Fantastic 4 concept art

Poster for Fantastic Four (2025), Marvel Studios

The official synopsis reads:

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 action adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne and Sarah Niles. Directed by Matt Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis and Tim Lewis, Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” opens in theaters July 25, 2025.

It seems as though the more things change the more they stay the same for Marvel. Despite rumors out of FIlm Threat that Marvel head Kevin Feige fired activists producers and writers earlier this year, Disney Marvel seems unwilling to pivot on gender-swapped heroes and a more female-focused universe.

Back in April, an investor asked Disney CEO Bob Iger if it was possible for the company to stay out of politics and social agenda.
Disney CEO Bob Iger

“Our job is to entertain first and foremost,” Iger said at the time. “And by telling great stories we continue to have a positive impact on the world and inspire future generations just as we’ve done for over 100 years. Disney has always been and will continue to be a source of hope, joy, and optimism for people of all ages.”

“We are committed to telling stories that reflect the world around us and using those stories to entertain stories from all walks of life,” he continued. “I believe we have a responsibility to do good in the world.”

Iger ended his answer saying, “But we know our job is not to advance any kind of agenda. So as long as I’m in the job, I’m going to continue to be guided by a sense of decency and respect. And we will always trust our instincts.”

The Fantastic 4

Fantastic Four Visionaries: Walter Simonson Vol. 1 TPB (2007), Marvel Comics

Soon after he made that statement, Deadline’s Justin Kroll reported that Marvel would move ahead with the Shalla-Bal female version of Silver Surfer in the Fantastic 4 movie instead of the classic male Norrin Radd version.

The character os Shalla-Bal first appeared in 1968’s Silver Surfer #1.

A panel from Silver Surfer #1 (1968), Marvel Comics

She was Norrin Radd’s first love, and he left her on their planet Zenna-La after making a bargain with Galactus to spare the world.

The character did become a version of the Silver Surfer in Marvel Comics’ Earth X series back in 1999 and 2000, but her time in the role was very short lived.

Does female Silver Surfer in a Fantastic 4 movie bother you? Do you hope to see the classic Silver Surfer eventually appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Sound off and let us know!