Why Marvel’s Female Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four Is a Game-Changer You Didn’t Expect

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Just released is the latest sneak peek of the movie titled “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Marvel’s original crew’s supporters have a lot to savor as they delve into the scenes. We catch glimpses of the team’s responses to Sue’s pregnancy, a glimpse of Mr. Fantastic elongating himself, the towering boot of Galactus, and even a peek at the Fantasticar. The trailer appears to be a grand tribute to the Fantastic Four in almost every aspect, possibly more than some less committed fans might notice. Yet, not all elements displayed in the preview were met with unbridled excitement.

Viewers were treated to an initial glimpse of Julia Garner’s extraordinary portrayal of Silver Surfer, yet a minority have ignited a debate over Marvel modifying the Silver Surfer’s character, alleging that this shift was made for various reasons since the most well-known incarnation of the Surfer is Norrin Radd, a man. However, contrary to some misguided assertions, this transformation is not merely cosmetic but delves deeply and intriguingly into the rich tapestry of Marvel Comics history.

Who is the female Silver Surfer?

The most recognized Silver Surfer character is Norrin Radd, but it’s important to note that he isn’t the sole wielder of the Power Cosmic and rider of the silver board. The Silver Surfer depicted in the trailer is actually Shalla-Bal, who became a Herald for Galactus to protect, following Norrin. In an alternate reality known as Earth-9997, as portrayed in the comic book “Earth X”, it’s Shalla-Bal herself who takes on the role of the Silver Surfer.

Following what appears to be Galactus’ resurrection after his demise at the hands of the Fantastic Four, he gathers his former Heralds to aid him in locating planets harboring Celestial eggs. To achieve this goal, Galactus decides to increase his roster of Heralds and reconnect his most devoted one with his lost love. He enlists Shalla-Bal, informing her that she’s needed to find Celestial eggs to counter the influence of the Celestials across the universe. She consents to this task and becomes a Herald alongside Norrin, both wielding the title and powers associated with the Silver Surfer before their untimely deaths in the comic series. Serving as Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer in the film could introduce intriguing motives and potentially unveil unexplored storylines for the upcoming movie.

Why Choose Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer?

To underscore the fact that the setting of the movie, “First Steps,” differs from the main Earth in the MCU, the filmmakers might opt for Shalla-Bal instead of Norrin as a character. Given that Norrin is widely recognized, this swap could hint to viewers that things aren’t quite as familiar as they might be accustomed to, with some unique variations present. Since the MCU has been extensively exploring the multiverse following “Endgame,” using Shalla-Bal instead of Norrin serves to highlight the vast array of distinct worlds within the Marvel Multiverse.

In terms of narrative focus, opting for Shalla-Bal rather than Norrin in the film might underscore the bond between the Silver Surfer and Franklin Richards. Given that Sue is pregnant in this movie, we recall that Franklin is their firstborn in the comics, who has a rich history with Galactus’ adversary, the Eater of Worlds. In the comic series ‘Earth X’, it was actually Franklin who enlisted Shalla-Bal to become his Silver Surfer, as he assumed the role and identity of Galactus in that universe. This could imply a link between Shalla-Bal, Galactus, and the unborn Franklin in the film, potentially explaining why Galactus has singled out Earth as his next conquest. It also might hint at Franklin’s potential future role or connection to Galactus as a powerful cosmic entity in upcoming films.

Using Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer character in Fantastic Four: First Steps suggests that its creators possess a rich understanding of each character, ready to explore the multiverse aspects to craft an intriguing narrative. This decision piques my interest, as Shalla-Bal is a captivating figure with unique abilities combined with those of the Silver Surfer. Her ties to the broader Marvel Universe could potentially unfold an unprecedented plotline that fans might not have anticipated at all. In essence, it’s an intriguing and exhilarating choice.

Fantastic Four: First Steps has a release date of July 25th.

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2025-04-22 01:10