'The Fantastic Four: First Steps': Who Is Silver Surfer? Julia Garner's Shalla-Bal Origin, Story Arc

The Fantastic Four: First Steps has finally introduced the iconic 'Silver Surfer', MCU version. In the latest instalment, the herald is not 'Norrin Radd', but 'Shalla-Bal'. The film has officially hit the screens on July 25, 2025, and fans can’t stop raving about the silver goddess in all her glory. Played by Emmy-winning actress Julia Garner, the gender-swapped version of 'Silver Surfer' is already making waves among fans and critics alike, with many claiming it is a major highlight of the new version.

When The Fantastic Four: Rise of the 'Silver Surfer' was released in 2007, it introduced 'Silver Surfer's male counterpart, 'Norrin Radd'. While the original film remains a classic, 'Shalla-Bal's appearance marks a bold and refreshing new direction for Marvel’s cosmic lore. Julia Garner’s 'Silver Surfer', together with the striking silver costume enhanced by copper veining, is both majestic and emotional.

As the Ozark star brings the iconic 'Shalla-Bal' to life as the harbinger of Galactus, here’s everything you need to know about the female 'Silver Surfer' and what it means for the MCU’s future.

Meet 'Shalla-Bal', Marvel’s new 'Silver Surfer'

'Silver Surfer' was first introduced in 1966 in Fantastic Four #48 as 'Norrin Radd', a Zenn-Lavian astronomer who sacrifices his freedom to become Galactus’s herald, in the hopes of saving his home planet. However, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set in Earth-828, has reimagined the role with 'Shalla-Bal', Norrin's lover, who eventually becomes his cosmic twin in alternate comics like Earth X.

Played by Emmy-winner Julia Garner, First Steps introduces 'Shalla-Bal' as a powerful alien who arrives on planet Earth on a silver surfboard as the harbinger of a chilling warning: Galactus is coming to devour the planet. In her original 1968 comic debut ('Silver Surfer' #1), 'Shalla-Bal' was a graceful woman from Zenn-Lavia who had long black hair and blue eyes and was often seen in flowing robes as the kingdom’s empress.

What are the powers of 'Shalla-Bal'?

In the film adaptation, Julia Gaener’s portrayal of 'Shalla-Bal' reimagines her as a silver female 'Silver Surfer' with her silver skin scarred with copper-coloured battle wounds, wearing a sleek, armoured suit. Similar to her cosmic lover, Noreen, Garner’s 'Shalla-Bal' possesses superhuman strength. She can manipulate energy and travel faster than light, surfing neutron stars and wormholes through lava and interstellar waves. 

Julia’s brilliant portrayal of the silver goddess, in addition to the enhanced CGI, makes 'Shalla-Bal'’s 'Silver Surfer' one of Marvel’s most visually stunning characters to date. 

Julia Garner speaks about her transformation as the 'Silver Surfer'

Julia Garner has been receiving massive praise for her portrayal of the iconic 'Silver Surfer' in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Best known for her gritty and grounded roles like ‘Ruth Langmore’ in Ozark, the Emmy winner revealed going through physical and emotional training to embody the cosmic herald. She even learnt some Zenn-Lavian (the fictional native language of 'Shalla-Bal') and listened to 70s krautrock to get into character. 

In a recent interview quoted by USA Today, Garner gushed about her dazzling appearance in her silver suit with copper veining to represent battle marks, saying that it looked more like a high-fashion statement than a costume. In her words:

“I never looked so cool in my life. This looks almost like a Met Gala look or some high-fashion thing.”

'Silver Surfer' vs. the 'Fantastic Four'

In the film, 'Shalla-Bal' is shown as the harbinger of ‘Galactus’, portrayed by Ralph Ineson. However, she finds herself in a dilemma when she encounters the ‘Fantastic Four’, ‘Reed Richards’ (Pedro Pascal), ‘Sue Storm’ (Vanessa Kirby), ‘Johnny Storm’ (Joseph Quinn), and ‘Ben Grimm’ (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Her equation with ‘Johnny’ in particular hints at a conflicted heart beneath the polished exterior.

In 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the character was portrayed by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne, depicting 'Norrin Radd'. But 'Shalla-Bal's live-action debut finally brings a fresh, female-led take on one of Marvel’s most iconic cosmic characters.

What’s next for 'Shalla-Bal' in the MCU?

First Steps has already garnered rave reviews online, and fans are already hoping for a potential spin-off or crossover that explores 'Shalla-Bal's past and future. Up next in the Marvel Comic Universe, there is plenty of room to explore her character in upcoming instalments of the cosmic saga.

With rave reactions online, only time will tell if 'Shalla-Bal' joins forces with the Fantastic Four or the Avengers in future MCU phases.

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