Just moments after The Walt Disney Company CEO claimed the company does not “advance any kind of agenda,” it’s been reported that Ozark actress Julia Garner will play a gender-swapped Silver Surfer in Marvel Studios upcoming Fantastic Four film.
Ozark. Julia Garner as Ruth Langmore in Season 4 Part 2 Episode 5 of Ozark. Cr. Courtesy Of Netflix © 2022
During The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Shareholder meeting, Iger answered one shareholder question that asked, “Is it possible for Disney to stay out of political and social agenda and just provide entertainment?”
He responded, “Our job is to entertain first and foremost. And by telling great stories we continue to have a positive impact on the world and inspire future generations just as we’ve done for over 100 years. Disney has always been and will continue to be a source of hope, joy, and optimism for people of all ages.”
“We are committed to telling stories that reflect the world around us and using those stories to entertain stories from all walks of life,” he asserted. “I believe we have a responsibility to do good in the world.”
He then declared, “But we know our job is not to advance any kind of agenda. So as long as I’m in the job, I’m going to continue to be guided by a sense of decency and respect. And we will always trust our instincts.”
Bob Iger attend the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
(Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages)
Moments after making this comment, it was immediately contradicted as it was reported that Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company would continue to push the feminist messages that has turned the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) into the MSheU.
Deadline’s Justin Kroll reported that Ozark actress Julia Garner will play a gender-swapped version of the Silver Surfer in the company’s upcoming Fantastic Four film that also stars Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing.
Kroll detailed that Garner’s version of Silver Surfer is Shalla-Bal.
A panel from Silver Surfer #1 (1968), Marvel Comics
READ: Rumor: ‘Fantastic Four’ Script Being Touched Up By New Writers
If you are unfamiliar with Shalla Bal, the character first appeared in Silver Surfer #1 back in 1968 and she was Norrin Radd’s first love. Norrin Radd left her on the planet Zenna-La after he made a bargain with Galactus to spare the planet. He also tasked Shalla Bal with keeping the spirit of the planet’s ancestors alive and not allowing them to be overwhelmed by complacency due to limitless pleasure.
A panel from Silver Surfer #1 (1968), Marvel Comics
The character did become a version of the Silver Surfer in Marvel Comics’ Earth X series back in 1999 and 2000. In the final issue of the series it’s implied that Galactus imbued not only Norrin Radd with the Power Cosmic, but Shalla-Bal as well.
A panel from Earth X #13 (2000), Marvel Comics
This report from Deadline appears to confirm rumors that Marvel would gender swap the Silver Surfer in their Fantastic Four film.
Scooper Jeff Sneider reported that the Silver Surfer would be gender swapped back in November. During an appearance on The Hot Mic podcast with John Rocha, Sneider stated, “The idea is that one of his four heralds — someone had said — is going to be female. I have heard that the Silver Surfer is going to be female.”
He reiterated this information as part of his newsletter where he wrote, “And yes, you can expect to see a female Silver Surfer.”
Scooper MyTimeToShineHello had reported in October that Galactus’ herald would be female.
He wrote on X, “Galactus’ herald in the MCU Fantastic Four reboot will be a woman.”
Galactus’ herald in the MCU Fantastic Four reboot will be a woman pic.twitter.com/6jCZLUMaMs
— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) October 23, 2023
What do you make of Marvel casting Julia Garner to play Shalla Bal and Silver Surfer in the Fantastic Four film?
NEXT: America is Over the MCU: Fantastic 4 and X-Men Lost Their Audience Years Ago
Put a chick in it, make her gay and make her lame. This movie is going to make Rise of the Silver Surfer look good.