Julia Garner, Kirby Address Fantastic Four Criticism

Julia Garner addressed controversy over her casting as Shalla-Bal, the female Silver Surfer, in Marvel's upcoming film 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' emphasizing that the character is established in Marvel Comics and not a gender-swapped version of Norrin Radd. She highlighted that Shalla-Bal became the Silver Surfer in alternate comic storylines, countering claims of erasing the original male character. Garner expressed gratitude for the positive reactions to the film’s trailers and remains focused on her role. Vanessa Kirby, who stars as Sue Storm, has also responded to criticism, advocating for strong female representation in the superhero genre. The film also stars Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025.