Marvel’s latest Fantastic Four trailer dropped and sparked a wave of online mockery. Fans quickly turned their attention to the visuals and casting choices, particularly the debut of Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer.
While the gender swap of the Silver Surfer has been known for months—with Marvel confirming Garner as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the cosmic herald—this trailer marks the first time the character has appeared on screen. The reaction? Not what Marvel likely expected. Garner’s chrome-plated, CGI-heavy appearance sparked comparisons to early 2000s video game graphics. One fan quipped, “This isn’t the Silver Surfer, it’s the Aluminum Paddleboarder.” Another sarcastically remarked, “Marvel’s CGI looks like it was done on a PS3 dev kit.”
This led to some online derision, with the design becoming a quick meme target. Fans were not shy in pointing out the stiff, mannequin-like quality of the Surfer’s CGI, with some calling the character’s look “discount T-1000 cosplay.”
It’s worth noting, however, that the concept of a female Silver Surfer is not entirely new. The character Shalla-Bal first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1993 as a version of the Surfer, but she was killed off after only four issues. Since then, Shalla-Bal’s inclusion in the central Marvel timeline has been minimal at best, making her more of a forgotten footnote than a key figure in the larger Marvel Universe.
However, it is still a poor excuse to replace the well-known Norrin Radd in favor of ideologies and agendas.
Conversely, in a rare positive reaction, the reveal of Galactus earned praise from fans. Many were relieved to see the planet-devouring villain closely resemble his classic comic book appearance—a far cry from the disappointing depictions of past adaptations. As one user commented on Soap Central, “At least they got something right—Galactus looks like he stepped straight out of the comics.”
However, the positives seem to end there. Beyond visual elements, the trailer confirmed some major changes to the team’s backstory and timeline. Fantastic Four: First Steps will skip the traditional origin story. The film’s director Matt Shakman explained this as a sort of creative decision. “One of the ways we’re making it our own thing,” he said, “is we’re not telling the story of them going up and being changed, and starting our story [there].”
Additionally, Shakman revealed that the story will take place in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world—one wherein the Fantastic Four are seemingly the only superheroes in existence. As Nerd Reactor reported, the film will take inspiration from the mid-20th-century idea of space-age optimism, blending it with the team’s classic origins.
CONFESSION: I prefer the Silver Surfer from Fantastic Four RotSS. This gender swap ain’t working for me. pic.twitter.com/L8EwUrlQbP
— Price of Reason (@priceoreason) April 17, 2025
Adding another intriguing twist, the trailer hints at Reed and Sue Storm expecting a child, which could be a subtle lead-in to Franklin Richards, their son and one of Marvel’s most powerful characters. Theorists already suspect that Franklin’s reality-warping abilities may play a significant role in the MCU’s future. Soap Central points out that Franklin’s potential could be key in unlocking new phases of Marvel storytelling.
Additionally, Franklin grows up to become Galactus in one of the comic story lines. Whether Disney Marvel will adapt that story to the screen is currently unknown, but still entirely possible.
First look at Julia Garner as Silver Surfer in ‘THE FANTASTIC FOUR’ pic.twitter.com/lQIGWoFd1V
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 17, 2025
All things considered, Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be a strange mix of the familiar and the bold. For every promising comic-faithful design like Galactus, there’s a baffling creative choice—and for every intriguing story twist, a moment of questionable CGI. Whether Marvel’s gamble will pay off remains to be seen when the film hits theaters on July 25, 2025. The mixed reactions, especially surrounding the Surfer, may leave fans wondering if Marvel can turn this around in future trailers.
I was never a Fantastic Four guy when I was collecting comics. The first two movies were a bit mid, but at least they were more or less competent and decent fun, even for a nonfan. The reboot was a joke. This one… I think this comment is about as much effort as I care to put towards this film. Won’t be spending my money on it.
I grew up with Byrne X-Men, followed thereafter with FF, et all.
This movie would have truly meant something to me. As it is: this movie has made angry and want to destroy disney marvel. F. them where they breathe.
No race and sex swaps are acceptable.
I kinda dissagree with that, Japan made King artur Female and its perfection, we care about the forced swap with the “message” , Hollywood raceswap and genderswap is made with political intention, mocking the original form and they are just made for activist, so we care.
No. I don’t care about the reason, no sex swaps are acceptable. Fate does this quite a lot by turning male heroes into females for waifu bait. I reject that.
Too simple. Then you’re stuck if they make a comic book female version, like this one is, because they’re “comic accurate”, you see; no swaps were done.
What should be opposed, besides gender swapping for the exact same character (as opposed to a “same type, but different person” swap like this one) is going with the less popular but more politically correct version. That’s the thing that happened here.
Eh, semantics. Silver Surfer is Norrin Radd, an obscure female version taking his place in the movie is a sex swap. I’m also against tokenised characters like Miles Morales, who is essentially black Peter Parker.
Especially when they keep trying to kill Peter and have Miles take over.
I know what anime you’re talking about and just couldn’t take it seriously after that reveal.
This …. flic has a stink upon it…. that shall never be quelled.
I love the Fantastic Four, but I am rapidly losing any interest in watching this movie.
You know it’ll be terrible. Why have any interest to begin with?
I do not like this work. I do not care if the actress is unattractive or it is just the ugly work, but it looks terrible.
I have long boycotted Hollywood, and this is another reason why.