Marvel Studios is starting a new chapter with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, featuring Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the female Silver Surfer. The film, releasing on July 25, 2025, introduces Marvel’s First Family to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and sets the stage for future Avengers crossovers.
A New Silver Surfer for a New Generation
Julia Garner takes on the role of Shalla-Bal, traditionally known as Norrin Radd in the comics. This change isn’t just a swap of genders; Shalla-Bal is a real character in Marvel stories who has also held the Power Cosmic. In the film, her character appears in a 1960s-inspired Manhattan to warn the Fantastic Four that Galactus, a cosmic entity, has marked Earth for destruction.
The trailer, released on April 17, shows Garner’s strong presence as she zooms through explosions and faces the Fantastic Four. Her warning—“Your planet has been marked for death”—raises the stakes for the film’s conflict.
The Fantastic Four’s MCU Debut
Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps features a talented cast: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Ralph Ineson voices Galactus, the film’s main villain.
Set in an alternate 1960s reality, the movie offers a unique style and story. While it stands alone as a reboot, it connects to the MCU and hints at future stories involving the Avengers and the birth of Franklin Richards, an important character in Marvel.
What’s Next for Marvel’s First Family?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is just the beginning. This film will be followed by Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, which promises bigger crossovers and cosmic challenges. With Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer, Marvel can explore new stories as it expands its lineup of characters.
This casting marks the first time a woman has played the Silver Surfer in a main role. It shows Marvel’s commitment to fresh ideas and creative choices. Julia Garner’s performance is already creating buzz, and fans are excited to see how her journey will connect with the MCU’s heroes and villains.