Julia Garner responds to backlash over Silver Surfer gender-swap casting in ‘Fantastic Four'
The actress, 31, was recently asked about how she handled the backlash to her gender-swapped role as the Silver Surfer in 'Fantastic Four: First Steps.'
'Oh, well, you know. I said, 'I'm just going to still do my job,'' Garner told the BBC at the Marvel film's red carpet premiere in London on Thursday.
8 Julia Garner attends the 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' premiere in London on July 10.Garner also noted that she's portraying Shalla-Bal, a female iteration of the Silver Surfer, and not Norrin Radd, the male version of the character who was played Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne in 2007's 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.'
8 Julia Garner as Silver Surfer in 'Fantastic Four.'
©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
'Also, it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different,' she explained.
Garner went on to acknowledge the Marvel fandom's massive hype for the film, which comes out later this month.
'I was just happy that people are resonating with it, just like any other project,' she shared. 'I'm grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you.'
8 Julia Garner at the 'Fantastic Four' premiere in London.
Getty Images
8 Julia Garner attending the 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' premiere at London's BFI IMAX.
Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company Limited
Garner's co-stars include Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch.
While speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the carpet, Garner reacted to her Silver Surfer voice going viral on the internet and launching a new TikTok trend.
8 Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer.
©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
8 The 'Fantastic Four' cast attend CCXP Mexico 2025 on May 31.
Getty Images for Disney
'I was just acting and prepping,' the 'Ozark' alum stated. 'To be honest, I don't even have a TikTok, so my friends were sending me all these TikToks, and I couldn't even open it. So I'm just happy people are liking it.'
8 Julia Garner poses at the 'Fantastic Four' photocall in the UK on July 11.
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company Limited
Back in April, Garner opened up about her shock at learning she was playing Silver Surfer when she met with director Matt Shakman.
'I was confused because I was like, 'Wait, isn't the Silver Surfer a man?'' she recalled to Entertainment Weekly. 'I was just like, 'Okay, well, I'll play anything.''
'I was a very big fan of Matt's, so there was already, in my mind, like, 'I should probably meet with Matt Shakman because he's a very smart director and I love his work.' And then he was explaining to me that it's actually Shalla-Bal and that whole thing,'' the three-time Emmy winner added.
8 Julia Garner takes pictures with fans at the 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' premiere on July 10.
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage
Garner also spoke about how she prepped for the role in her first superhero movie.
'I knew who the Silver Surfer was, and I got to know the Silver Surfer more when I signed on to the project,' she shared. 'I really dived in. I read a lot of the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer comics before starting the project, and I knew that this 'Fantastic Four' was going to be told in a very different way than even the other movies.'
'Fantastic Four: First Steps' comes out in theaters July 25.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Social Media Users Blast Lizzo For Slamming 'Thin Presenting' People Who Criticize 'Bigger Bodies'
Actor and singer Lizzo has once again sparked intense controversy among fans over weight and body image. In a new video shared online, the "Juice" performer shared her thoughts on "thin-presenting" people who allegedly shame those with "bigger bodies," essentially telling them to stay in their lane. In a passionate clip shared on TikTok, Lizzo opened up once again about body image and said she felt called to address this because she's someone who really "cares about people." She then took aim at "thin-presenting" people who she feels have a need to criticize those in "bigger bodies." "It's not your place to criticize how they choose to live in that body, how they choose to change that body, and it's not your place to criticize how they share that experience on the internet or with anyone," she said. Lizzo also singled out those who have lost weight and now speak negatively about others with bigger bodies, calling their behavior "inappropriate." She stated, "You of all people should understand that bodies change." On TikTok, many users agreed with Lizzo and praised the "About D-mn Time" singer for "educating people on body acceptance." Another user chimed in, offering a broader perspective. "It's no one's 'place' to speak on anyone — big or skinny," they wrote. "The entire conversation around body positivity tiptoes pessimism [and] projection." There were some users, however, who disagreed with Lizzo's message completely, and they were determined to make their voices heard. Still, on TikTok, one user shared their experience as someone in a smaller body, explaining that they also receive hurtful messaging from people in "bigger bodies." "Telling me I need to eat more still hurts," they shared. "People in smaller bodies get body shamed just as much as people in 'bigger bodies.'" On Instagram, users shared similar responses, with several blasting Lizzo for making her "whole identity" about "her body." Someone else wrote, "Thin presenting? Like her whole career finna be bout weight?" Another fan challenged Lizzo, telling her that if she posts her life on the internet, she's giving users access to comment. "You're making it everybody's business and people will judge it," they wrote. "That's the nature of social media." Lizzo's own significant weight loss over the last several years provides context for the current debate, as she has showcased her journey every step of the way. In the past, she's been accused of using the weight-loss drug Ozempic; however, she denied the claims, saying she works her "a-s off." Her trainer, Shaun T, known for popular fitness videos like "Insanity," also slammed trolls who accused her of using Ozempic, calling the claims "wildly annoying." "I think that generally people think because now something is available and popular, they're not going to give people props. People would rather hate before they give people props," he said. Shaun-T then celebrated Lizzo's fitness journey and her ability in the gym. "I have trained Lizzo. Like, I have worked out with her, I have danced with her. Lizzo is very fit," he said. "People think, like, just because someone's like a quote-unquote plus size person ... they're not fit." As Shaun-T continued, he shared a message similar to the one Lizzo shared in her TikTok above. "The second thing I want to say, which is absolutely important, is for people to mind your business," he stated. "Because the people who are actually talking about, 'Oh my gosh, that person's using Ozempic,' you're probably not even working out. And the people who are working out, most of them are like, 'Cool, if they are using Ozempic, I hope that they're eating healthy,' or something like that." Lizzo, on the other hand, didn't seem bothered by the claims during a previous interview, admitting that she was being very "intentional" about her weight loss and wasn't focused on looking a specific way. "Even at the end of my weight-loss journey, I'm not going to be considered thin by any means," Lizzo explained. "I will still be considered morbidly obese on the BMI. But I will be happy."
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
German Shepherd ‘Greets Parents Like War Heroes' After Errands Like the Best Baby
German Shepherd 'Greets Parents Like War Heroes' After Errands Like the Best Baby originally appeared on Parade Pets. Leaving our pets is not an easy task. No one wants to leave them! If we could, I'm sure every pet parent in the world would take our pups with us everywhere. Unfortunately, that's just not possible, so there are times when they have to stay at home. Coming home to them is an amazing feeling, though. They greet us like we've been away for years, even if it's just been a couple of minutes! On Friday, July 11th, one German Shepherd took this hero's greeting to another level: McKenna Lopez has the babiest dog in the history of baby dogs. He may be full-grown, but he truly is the biggest baby around!This boy's name is not shared anywhere on his mom's TikTok, but there are plenty of videos about him. He's the sweetest: whenever he can, he accompanies his parents in adventures! They go on road trips, on walks, and out to other places. Unfortunately, there are just some places he's not allowed to visit. He's very well-behaved, but he's not legally a service dog. He's not allowed in most stores or restaurants, which means that errand day is a very sad day for him! That's okay. He makes up for it by taking up most of mom's bed every night: German Shepherds are a high-needs breed. They need a lot of exercise and attention to stay happy, otherwise they may develop issues like destructive tendencies or anxiety. If they're left alone for long periods every day, they may get bored. However, it's also important to train them on how to be alone. Dogs should be able to be alone for an hour or two, at least. Dogs with severe separation anxiety can be medicated or even put in daycare/boarding facilities to avoid being alone. Despite the fact that he greets them like they just got back from the war, this sweet boy does great at home alone! He just loves and misses his parents at the same time. He's perfect! 🐶🐾🐾 German Shepherd 'Greets Parents Like War Heroes' After Errands Like the Best Baby first appeared on Parade Pets on Jul 14, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who is Cierra from 'Love Island USA'? What to know about Cierra Ortega
University of Arizona alum and former Phoenix resident Cierra Ortega's journey on "Love Island USA" 2025 has come to an end. Cierra joined Season 7 on Day 2 and was there until she left due to a "personal situation," according to narrator Iain Stirling during Episode 30. While no official statement has been made by Peacock or "Love Island USA" regarding Cierra's departure, she has been receiving backlash in the past few days after old posts and stories on Instagram and TikTok resurfaced. Cierra entered the villa as a bombshell and grabbed the attention of a lot of the men, as everyone except for Jeremiah Brown stood up to couple with her. She was also friends with past "Love Island USA" contestants, including Carmen Kocourek from Season 5, Kassy Castillo from Seasons 5 and 6 and Phoenix resident Johnnie Garcia from Season 5. Here's what to know about Cierra Ortega from "Love Island USA" Season 7. Cierra is a former contestant on "Love Island USA" Season 7. She was removed from the show due to a "personal situation." Many fans had been asking for her removal from the show after screenshots started to resurface of her allegedly using a racial slur. Before leaving the show, Cierra had been coupled up with Nicolas "Nic" Vansteenberghe, a 24-year-old registered nurse and model from Jacksonville, Florida. The two were coupled up for the majority of her time in the villa, except when Cierra had to briefly couple up with Elan Bibas, a 24-year-old tech consultant from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, in Casa Amor. Cierra Ortega is 25 years old. Cierra is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent. Cierra is a marketing professional. According to an Instagram post made while Cierra was in the villa on June 17, Cierra was born in Chicago. According to the "Love Island USA" PR team, Cierra is a native of Phoenix. Similar to former Islander Yulissa, Cierra may have been removed due to racial slurs she allegedly used against East Asian people. When describing her Botox on her social media, Cierra said she loved how it made her eyes look and used a derogatory racial slur aimed at Asian people. She used that same slur in a 2015 Instagram post of herself at the top of "A" Mountain in Tempe. If Cierra has gotten her phone back from her time on "Love Island USA," she has not posted any response as of July 8. Her family posted a statement on her Instagram story on Sunday, July 6, following the episode where she left. "While Cierra is not in the villa anymore, she is still away," the story said. "She hasn't had the chance to process any of this or speak for herself. But we know our daughter. We know her heart. And when she returns, we believe she'll face this with honesty, growth, and grace." You can stream "Love Island USA" 2025 exclusively on Peacock. A premium monthly plan on Peacock costs $7.99, or there is a deal for a premium annual plan at $24.99 for one year. The premium plus plan, which is ad-free, costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 a year. Reach the reporter at Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Bluesky @ Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about Cierra Ortega from 'Love Island USA' Season 7
