'Woke MCU strikes again': Internet slams Julia Garner casting as Silver Surfer in 'Fantastic Four' reboot

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is no stranger to shaking things up, but their latest casting decision has left many fans scratching their heads.

Marvel and Disney have announced that Emmy-winning actress Julia Garner will portray a female incarnation of the iconic Silver Surfer in the highly anticipated 'Fantastic Four' reboot.

This bold move to introduce a gender-swapped version of the traditionally male character has caused quite a backlash across social media, with many decrying it as an unnecessary departure from the character's established identity.

Julia Garner will portray the Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer in 'Fantastic Four' reboot

Rumors of this gender-swap twist first surfaced in November 2023, when industry insiders tipped fans off about the potential for a female Silver Surfer. However, the roots of this rumor can be traced back even further, to 2019, when reporter Mikey Sutton hinted that a new iteration of the 'Fantastic Four' might see a transfer of power to a female character.

According to Deadline, Garner will portray the Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer, a character that Marvel Studios has dug deep into the comic book world to justify their decision to deviate from the traditional Norrin-Radd incarnation.

Bounding Into Comics reported that in the 1968 issue 'Silver Surfer Vol. 1,' Shalla-Bal was introduced as the Silver Surfer's love interest. For the next five decades, her role remained largely supportive until the 1997 'Earth X' series, where she briefly inherited her lover's powers to combat an invading force.

However, in 2016's 'Silver Surfer Vol. 8 #2,' writer Dan Slott elevated Shalla-Bal's status, transforming her from 'Radd's love interest' to Zenn-La's Keeper of the Great Truth.

In the 2007 movie 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,' the titular character was portrayed by actor Doug Jones, with Laurence Fishburne providing the character's voice. Additionally, the official Marvel Guide refers to the 'Silver Surfer' using male pronouns, The Blaze reported.

Internet unamused in wake of the gender switch for the Silver Surfer in 'Fantastic Four reboot

Upon learning of the gender switch for the Silver Surfer in the 'Fantastic Four reboot, the internet responded with a mix of disappointment and frustration. One X user lamented, "Yall had one job and great opportunity for a great movie," while another remarked, "They've learned nothing lol."

A third user criticized the decision, stating, "Woke MCU strikes again," with another echoing the sentiment, saying, "If Silver Surfer isn't male, I don't want it." The backlash continued with one user simply labeling the project as "'FANTASTIC FLOP,'" while another despaired, "Naah!! They've destroyed this beautiful movie."

Amidst the uproar, a seventh user grimly predicted, "Dead on Arrival."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.