Latest news with #Shalla-Bal
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Julia Garner Responds To Fantastic Four Silver Surfer Backlash
Julia Garner isn't losing sleep over what the critics have had to say about her casting in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In the newest take on the beloved Marvel comics, the titular Fantastic Four will be played by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and the film will see them defend Earth from Galactus and the Silver Surfer. If you're familiar with the Fantastic Four comics and the previous film adaptations, you'll know that the Silver Surfer has traditionally been depicted as a man. Memorably, in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the shiny humanoid alien character was played by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne. In light of this, there were some mixed responses when it was revealed that, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Silver Surfer would be played by a woman, Julia. For what it's worth, critics of the gender-swapped role predominantly changed their tune when the first trailer dropped and they actually got to see a glimpse of Julia in action. But, still, the initial pushback was there. And now, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps dropping later this month, Julia has addressed the discourse during an interview with the BBC at the film's London premiere, clarifying that she's been solely focused on putting her own spin on the iconic villain role. 'I said, 'I'm just going to still do my job,'' she told the outlet, laughing it off. 'Also, it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different.' In the 2007 Fantastic Four movie and in the original comics, the Silver Surfer is a young astronamer named Norrin Radd. Shalla-Bal is depicted in the comics as the love interest of Norrin, and so, in the new movie adaptation, Marvel Studios made the decision to make the Silver Surfer a woman by reimagining the character as Shalla-Bal. If you're confused, you can read a full breakdown of the Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer context here. When asked about the positive reception to the trailer, Julia then added: 'I was just happy that people are resonating with it, just like any other project. I'm grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you.' Well, I for one will be seated in the theater on July 25. You can watch Julia's interview with the BBC here.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Julia Garner defends her role as Shalla-Bal in Fantastic Four, fans come to her defence and trash Marvel's CGI instead
This year has been a rollercoaster for superhero films. James Gunn officially took over the DC Universe and released a new Superman that's been met with mixed reactions. Over at Marvel, fans are still riding high on the unexpected success of Thunderbolts*, a gritty anti-hero ensemble that's been praised for bringing fresh energy to the genre. But now, all eyes are on Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot—especially after the reveal that a woman is now playing the Silver Surfer. Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal Actor Julia Garner, best known for her roles in Ozark (2017) and The Wolf Man, is stepping into the role of the Silver Surfer. Some fans weren't thrilled about the gender switch, questioning why a traditionally male character wasn't being kept that way. But Garner? She's unfazed. Speaking to the BBC at the London premiere of Fantastic Four, the 31-year-old actor addressed the backlash head-on: 'I said, 'I'm just going to still do my job,'' she said, choosing to focus on the work rather than the noise. Garner also pointed out that her character is not a direct reimagining of Norrin Radd, the original Silver Surfer, but a different take altogether. 'Also, it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different,' she added. For those unfamiliar with the comics, Shalla-Bal first appeared in The Silver Surfer #1 in 1968. She's often portrayed as a female counterpart or love interest to Norrin Radd. This means that Garner's casting isn't a total rewrite, but rather a dive into a lesser-explored character from the source material. Netizens react Now, there were definitely a bunch of comments that trolled Garner's casting. 'Is there reason the more iconic version was not used?' was one comment on X. Another said, 'Poor herald choice to open the franchise with.' One more comment read, 'No. She is a terrible character. They didn't wanna a male herald. Fine. Pick a good female one. They couldn't even do that.' And since female characters taking on roles traditionally played by men are often met with resistance from cult audiences, it's no surprise Garner feels defensive about hers. But after a thorough scroll on social media, it's noteworthy that many of the comments were quite supportive of Garner's role, even going so far as to research the origin of her character, Shalla-Bal. 'Not gender swapped. It's Noran Radd's wife. Comic accurate,' said one. Another claimed, 'Comic accurate so the only people who care are outing themselves as fake fans.' One more comment said, 'People are unnecessarily upset about her casting. She is a great choice, and none of us has even watched the movie yet. Also, the Silver Surfer has a female version in the comics, and she is playing Shalla-Bal. Those who are complaining should take some time to read the comics before jumping to conclusions.' Furthermore, many are claiming that the outrage is not about the gender-swap, it's about the CGI. 'It's not about the Gender swap. It's the CGI,' claimed one comment on X. 'Only issue I see is how awful the CGI is- I can't believe that CGI seems to actually have gotten worse,' read another comment. About the film The upcoming film will mark Fantastic Four's official entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Set against a retro-futuristic 1960s backdrop, the movie will follow the group as they embark on some of their earliest missions. As for the cast, it's stacked with big names from the industry. Pedro Pascal stars 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 plays Galactus, with Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich rounding out the ensemble. The movie is set to release on July 25.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Julia Garner Defends Her Role In New Fantastic Four Film: ‘Going To Do My Job'
Last Updated: Julia plays a different version of the character, named Shalla-Bal, a female Silver Surfer, as per the Marvel Comics. Julia Garner is not paying much heed to what people think of her playing Silver Surfer in the upcoming movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This marks the first time the character appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following its debut in the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Back then, the character was voiced by a male actor, Laurence Fishburne, and actor Doug Jones appeared as Norrin Radd / Silver Surfer. In the new movie, Julia plays a different version of the character, named Shalla-Bal, a female Silver Surfer as per the Marvel Comics. Even though this version is true to the comics, the actress received a considerable backlash from the fans for playing the character. And at the London premiere of the new Fantastic Four film, Julia addressed the criticism. During a conversation with the BBC, she shared that she did not pay much attention to the discourse and focused on her performance. She said, 'Oh, well, you know. I said, 'I'm just going to still do my job." The 31-year-old actress also reminded the fans that she is playing Shalla-Bal, not Norrin Radd, who is the original Silver Surfer from the comics. 'Also, it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different," she mentioned. Julia's character was first seen in The Silver Surfer #1 in 1968, a female reiteration of Norrin Radd. She also acknowledged the hype for the film, saying, 'I was just happy that people are resonating with it, just like any other project," Garner added. 'I'm grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you." The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, is scheduled to hit theatres on July 25 in the US. The film follows the Fantastic Four's journey to save their world from the planet-devouring cosmic being Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. Besides Julia, the superhero action film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder / Mole Man and Ralph Ineson as Galactus, with addition to Matthew Wood voicing the Fantastic Four's robot companion H.E.R.B.I.E. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hype Malaysia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Movie Tea: Julia Garner Speaks Up About Silver Surfer Controversy; 'King Of The Hill' Revival To Stream On Hulu
Get your popcorn ready, because we've got the latest news on some of Hollywood's biggest upcoming projects. From the revival of a beloved animated sitcom, to a decorated actor handling controversies with grace, here's what you need to know about two highly-awaited projects due to hit the big and small screens later this year. Julia Garner Addresses Controversy Surrounding Her Depiction Of Silver Surfer It goes without saying that July is easily one of the most anticipated months of the year when it comes to movies. As summer time kicks in in some portions of the world, studios are pulling out all the stops to get crowds in theatre halls, and 2025 is no exception. Earlier in the month alone, we saw the jaw-dropping reimagining of James Gunn's 'Superman'. Naturally, people are eager to see how Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' will fare in response to the growing opposition. Unfortunately, in this polarising world, people conjure all sorts of nitpicks to bash these incredible titles. One such example is the recent 'Superman' film where conservatives found it too woke, citing pro-immigration and pro-Hamas themes, among other things. Sadly, 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' has also come under fire weeks before its anticipated release because of Julia Garner's depiction of the Silver Surfer. Having had enough of it, the Herald of Galactus has stepped forward and started addressing the controversy directed at her. In an interview with BBC, Garner was asked about the recent reaction to 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. At first they were positive, but as they progressed to more critical ones, Garner only said, 'The first one, I was like, I'm just still going to do my job, and also it's Shalla-Bal, so it's different. And then the second one you know, I was just happy that people are resonating with it just like any other project. So I'm just grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you.' Though 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' has been accused of gender-bending the iconic Zenn-Lavian, people forget that the MCU is creating its own canon away from the comics — and that a female Silver Surfer called Shalla-Bal already existed before in the comics. In our previous article covering Garner's debut as the chrome alien, the character can be traced all the way back to 1968, proving that her story has long been intertwined with that of the Fantastic Four and rendering all baseless hateful accusations irrelevant. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that this version of Marvel's first family of superheroes will take place in an alternate universe. So, if people are still pissed about seeing Bal rather than Norrin Radd, Bal's husband and the original Silver Surfer, they might just get their wish just to appease them. It is unfortunate that Garner has been the target of controversy simply because of her gender but it is nice to not only see her push back but also do so with such positivity! Though her role may only be limited to an alternate universe, we do hope that we get to see her duke it out in the main timeline as well in some capacity. 'King Of The Hill' Returns With Season 14 After 15 long years, the hit animated sitcom 'King of the Hill' is back! And to kick off its revival, the creator has dropped a brand new trailer to coincide with the announcement. Set years after the star of the show, Hank Hill (played by Mike Judge), moved to Saudi Arabia to secure his and Peggy's (played by Kathy Najimy) retirement, the new season sees the return of the duo to Arlen to breathe in something familiar. Unfortunately for the couple, but more specifically Hank, things have changed in their absence, and they are now taking steps to get themselves reacquainted with the world around them. Add on to the fact that our favourite patriarch is now a senior citizen; things are about to get rough for him. Naturally, some things never change, as Frank's old mates, such as Boomhauer (Mike Judge), Bill (Stephen Root), and Dale (Toby Huss, taking over after the late Johnny Hardwick's passing), are still in town! And much like Frank, they too feel out of place, kicking off a season of misadventures where they navigate this familiar yet strange place they call home. Pair this alongside Frank's son, Bobby (Pamela Adlon), who has adjusted well in Dallas; we're about to see some old folks trying their best to still stay hip and fashionable with the younger generation. As it will touch on a lot of modern subject matter that we see in social media or in person, whether they be serious or otherwise, that might lead to the series receiving the revitalised love it deserves – or be the reason for its ultimate end. We must keep in mind that the world has changed more than ever since the show's cancellation; it is up to the show's creators to decide whether to address this with the same rigour and ferocity as in previous seasons or to play it safe and avoid it as much as possible. Regardless of its choice, we just hope it does so with the wholesome heart that we all know and love. We'll only find out when the series drops on 4th August on Hulu. Source: The Verge, Screen Rant
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Julia Garner responds to Silver Surfer backlash in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps': 'I'm just going to do my job'
Julia Garner , the Emmy-winning star of 'Ozark' and 'Inventing Anna', is making her big Marvel debut as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer, in 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'. While many fans had hoped to see the traditional male Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd, Garner's casting initially faced some backlash. But she's handled it all with calm and confidence. 'I'm just going to still do my job,' she said at the film's London premiere. 'It's Shalla-Bal, so it's different.' A comic-accurate take on Shalla-Bal Shalla-Bal first appeared in The Silver Surfer #1 back in 1968. In the comics, she's the Empress of Zenn-La and the love interest of Norrin Radd. In Marvel's alternate universe stories, she even becomes the Silver Surfer herself. This means Garner's role is true to the comics — it's not simply a gender swap, but a fresh take on an existing character. Exploring the character's mystery Speaking to the BBC, Garner admitted that when she was first offered the role, she questioned it herself. 'Wait, isn't the Silver Surfer a man?' she said. But after director Matt Shakman explained Shalla-Bal's rich backstory, she was all in. ' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Empty Alaska Cruises Departing From Ontario That Seniors Can Book For Dirt Cheap FavoriteSearches | Search Ads Learn More Undo There's this mystery about her… this ambiguous energy of whether she's good or not,' Garner explained. 'She works for Galactus, but you're never quite sure where she stands.' Her intriguing take on the character has already sparked fan theories and countless TikTok videos, with viewers praising her layered performance. A fresh Fantastic Four universe 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' is set in a unique retro-futuristic world inspired by the 1960s, separate from the main MCU timeline. This has allowed the filmmakers to reimagine these classic characters in bold new ways. The impressive cast includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. Supporting roles feature Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich. Marvel's evolving stories Julia Garner taking on Shalla-Bal shows Marvel's willingness to explore new stories while still respecting the comics. Her calm response to the early criticism is a reminder that what matters most is how truthfully and powerfully the story is told — not sticking rigidly to old expectations.
