Julia Garner Faces Backlash Playing Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four

Julia Garner has addressed criticism regarding her casting as Shalla-Bal, the female counterpart to Silver Surfer, in Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.' Despite some initial backlash from fans who believed Silver Surfer should be portrayed by a man, Garner emphasized that she is focused on doing her job and noted that Shalla-Bal is a distinct character from the traditionally male Norrin Radd. She expressed gratitude for the positive reception following the release of the film’s first trailer and is excited about reaching a new audience through this Marvel project. Garner has familiarized herself with the comics to better portray the character and is enjoying working alongside a notable cast including Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby. The actress also mentioned her surprise when first approached for the role and clarified the distinction between Shalla-Bal and Silver Surfer to skeptics. Overall, she remains unfazed by the controversy and appreciates the opportunity to expand her range and engage with a broader fanbase.