The Fantastic Four aka Marvel’s first family is all set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Helmed by The Last of Us star Pedro Pascal, the group will feature an older team of superheroes fighting against the popular villains Silver Surfer and Galactus.
After months of keeping us in the dark, Marvel has finally confirmed that they have found their Silver Surfer in Julia Garner. Known best for starring in the Netflix series Ozark, the actress’s casting is an exciting update. But it might just spell doom for Pascal’s future in the MCU.
Fantastic Four finds its Silver Surfer in Julia Garner
While fans were hoping to see Doctor Doom to be the main antagonist in the upcoming Fantastic Four, Marvel had other plans. As per Deadline, apart from the four leads, Julia Garner is slated to join the movie as Silver Surfer.
Starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richard/ Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Garner’s casting is the latest one to be confirmed.
Known for her Emmy award-winning role of Ruth in the Netflix crime drama Ozark, the American actress has an impressive filmography. From Perks of Being a Wallflower to Inventing Anna, Garner has consistently delivered exceptional performances, a talent that Marvel would certainly benefit from.
As of now, no other plot details have been revealed, but the movie is rumored to be set in the 1960s. Directed by WandaVision director Matt Shakman, the production is set to begin this summer. As exciting as the latest update is, it is also bad news for Pascal as far as his future in the MCU is concerned.
Julia Garner’s Casting Hints Potential Jeopardy for Pedro Pascal’s MCU Future
Pedro Pascal is a fan-favorite actor whose addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been much appreciated. Starring as Mr. Fantastic, Marvel fans are elated and cannot wait to witness his talents within the superhero genre.
Yet as Julia Garner is cast as Silver Surfer, Pascal’s future in the MCU seems uncertain in light of it. Garner will reportedly star as Shalla-Bal. In Fantastic Four No. 48, the Silver Surfer is introduced as the herald of Galactus, a planet-eating being. Although the Surfer was portrayed by an alien astronomer called Norrin Radd, Shalla-Bal was the lover of Radd.
She became the Surfer on Earth-9997, which hints that the Fantastic Four will not be set within the MCU’s sacred timeline, a rumor that has been going around for a while (see X). This also indicates that Pascal will not be part of the main MCU.
And if the Fantastic Four are ever to make their debut within the main timeline aka Earth-616, it will be up to Kevin Feige entirely whether he would want Pascal to continue playing the role or not. His inclusion in the main timeline would also likely be based on fan and critical response, which Marvel seems to be missing out on lately.
Meanwhile, it is important to note that Marvel has not yet made any official statement regarding Pascal’s future in the MCU. The studio may decide to keep him on for future projects, or they may choose to recast the role entirely if Fantastic Four makes it to Earth-616.
Only time will tell what Marvel has in store for the talented actor. Fantastic Four is slated to be released on July 25, 2025.
