Julia Garner joins Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four’ as female Silver Surfer

Julia Garner joins Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four’ as female Silver Surfer | Images: Instagram/@juliagarnerofficial, @marvel

“Ozark” actress Julia Garner has been tapped to play the female version of the Silver Surfer in the upcoming Marvel Studios’ movie “Fantastic Four.”

As confirmed by Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, Garner will bring the classic character Shalla-Bal, a version of Silver Surfer from the Marvel comics, to life.

In the comics, Shalla-Bal is the main love interest of Norrin Radd, aka the Silver Surfer. But she went into a conflict with Silver Surfer and some other heroes after she was tasked with enforcing her planet’s culture on others across the galaxy, as part of her mission as the Keeper of the Great Truth. However, in the alternate universe of Marvel’s Earth-9997, Shalla-Bal has also become the Silver Surfer.

The 30-year-old actress rose to fame when she portrayed Ruth Langmore on the Netflix crime drama “Ozark” alongside Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, which earned her three Emmys and a Golden Globe for her performance.

She also appeared on “The Americans,” “Dirty John,” and the Netflix hit limited series “Inventing Anna,” for which she earned more acting nominations. Garner also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her role in “The Assistant” in 2021, among others. 

Last February 14, Marvel officially announced the four actors who will play the main characters in the highly anticipated superhero film: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (aka the Thing).

Using a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, and Eric Pearson, “Fantastic Four” will be directed by Matt Shakman, who’s known for his work in “WandaVision.” The movie’s filming is set to begin this summer, with a planned theatrical release on July 25, 2025.