Rumor: Anya Taylor-Joy To Play Villain In Marvel Studios’ ‘Fantastic Four’ Film, Silver Surfer To Be Gender Swapped

A new rumor claims that Marvel Studios is looking at actress Anya Taylor-Joy to play a villain in their upcoming Fantastic Four film. This rumor comes in the wake of a separate one claiming that Silver Surfer will be gender swapped in the film.

Essential Silver Surfer Vol. 2 (2007), Marvel Comics

This latest rumor comes from scooper Daniel Richtman with X user Hollywood Handle reporting, “Anya Taylor-Joy is reportedly being eyed to play a villain in MCU’s FANTASTIC FOUR.”

Anya Taylor-Joy is reportedly being eyed to play a villain in MCU’s ‘FANTASTIC FOUR’.

(Via: @DanielRPK) pic.twitter.com/t9Kn7xmsSX

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) November 23, 2023

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A previous rumor from scooper Jeff Sneider claimed that the Silver Surfer would be gender swapped. 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.”

The idea that the film would feature a female herald of Galactus is not new. However, the idea that it would be Silver Surfer is.

Back in October, scooper MyTimeToShineHello claimed that Galactus’ herald would indeed 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

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Before this, there was a rumor from back in 2019 from Mikey Sutton that claimed Frankie Raye aka Nova would be introduced as a herald of Galactus in the Fantastic Four film.

Sutton wrote, “Johnny Storm has fallen for a new girl, a gorgeous redhead named Frankie Raye. One of the priorities for Marvel Studios when they debut the Fantastic Four into the MCU is to flesh out the characters in ways that Fox didn’t do. And there are several decades of comic books that Marvel Studios will pull from.”

“They’re thinking of building up Raye as Johnny’s dream girl; his Mary Jane, if you will. The Fantastic Four is still early in development but Raye is on their radar,” he continued.

Fantastic Four #244 (1982), Marvel Comics

Sutton then detailed, “After the Silver Surfer is introduced as the herald of Galactus, it is a job that Norrin Radd doesn’t have for long. But who will take his place? And there lies the tragedy of Johnny’s love for Raye as she becomes Galactus’ new herald, just like she did in John Byrne’s classic ’80s FF comics.”

He concluded, “Raye appeared in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, but Marvel Studios wants to make her soar as a cosmic power, one that could provide a challenge for even Captain Marvel.”

Frankie Raye becomes Galactus’ herald in Fantastic Four #244 (1982), Marvel Comics

What do you make of this rumor that they are looking at Anya Taylor-Joy to play a villain role in Fantastic Four?

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