Julia Garner Schools Critics of Silver Surfer Role With 1 Simple Fact About Character

Julia Garner isn’t here for the fake outrage, and she’s handling it with more class than most would.

Ahead of the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Ozark star addressed the so-called backlash over her playing the Silver Surfer. 

Some fans took issue with the idea of a female version of the character, claiming it was another Hollywood gender-swap move. Garner’s response? Check your source material.

In a red-carpet interview at the film’s London premiere, Garner made it clear her role isn’t a rewrite—it’s canon. “I’m just going to still do my job,” she said. “Also, it’s Shalla-Bal, so it’s different.”

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And that’s all it took.

Shalla-Bal isn’t some rebooted version of the Silver Surfer. She’s a character straight out of Marvel Comics, first introduced in Silver Surfer No. 1 back in 1968 by Stan Lee and John Buscema. In the comics, Shalla-Bal isn’t just a love interest for Norrin Radd (the original Silver Surfer)—she’s a powerful leader and eventual empress of her home planet, Zenn-La.

While she’s often been a background figure in the Surfer’s story, the comics have explored arcs where she’s taken on significant roles in galactic affairs, and yes, even been tied to the cosmic power of the Silver Surfer.

So no, this isn’t a “genderswap.” It’s a deep cut from Marvel lore.

Garner didn’t go on a rant, didn’t call out fans by name, and didn’t throw social media shade. She simply dropped a fact most casual critics overlooked. 

When asked how she felt about the mixed reactions turning positive after the trailer dropped, her answer was just as gracious. “I was just happy that it was resonating with people,” she said. “I’m just grateful to be at this stand.”

Fantastic Four: First Steps hits U.S. theaters on July 24. And with Garner handling both the role and the noise with that much confidence, it’s clear who’s actually in control of this narrative.

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