Fantastic Four branded ‘woke’ after Julia Garner cast as female Silver Surfer
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Marvel fans are buzzing with excitement over the latest casting announcement for the upcoming film adaptation of The Fantastic Four. Julia Garner, known for her role in the hit series Ozark, has been cast as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the popular character Silver Surfer. However, not everyone is thrilled about this casting choice, as internet misogynists have already begun expressing their discontent.
The Fantastic Four first graced the big screen in 2005, but despite a sequel in 2007 and a reboot in 2015, the team has yet to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). That is all set to change with the upcoming film, which will feature 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 (The Human Torch).
The addition of Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, a female version of Silver Surfer, has sparked controversy among some fans. Right-wing commentator Nick Adams has called for a boycott of the film, citing “wokeness” as the reason for his disapproval. Other social media users have echoed similar sentiments, expressing frustration over the decision to gender-swap a character from the comics.
Despite the backlash, many fans have come to Garner’s defense, pointing out that Shalla-Bal is an established character in the Marvel universe and her inclusion in the film is a nod to the source material. They argue that the casting choice is in line with the comic book lore and should be celebrated rather than criticized.
The Fantastic Four is set to be released on July 25, 2025, and fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of this new iteration of the beloved superhero team. With an all-star cast and exciting new additions like Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the film promises to be a thrilling addition to the MCU. Whether or not internet misogynists approve, one thing is certain – Marvel fans will be lining up to see this epic adventure unfold on the big screen.
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