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Marvel’s Fantastic Four Trailer Sparks Backlash—Female Silver Surfer Roundly Mocked for Terrible CGI and Design

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The newest Marvel Fantastic Four trailer was released, prompting a flood of humorously critical responses online. Fans immediately started discussing the visuals and actor selections, with special focus on the introduction of Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer.

Months ago, Marvel confirmed that Garner would play Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer. However, the trailer’s debut didn’t elicit the response Marvel may have hoped for. Fans compared Garner’s shiny, CGI-enhanced appearance to outdated video game graphics from the early 2000s. One wit even joked, “This isn’t the Silver Surfer, it’s the Aluminum Paddleboarder.” Another fan made a sarcastic comment, “Marvel’s CGI looks like it was developed on a PS3 game console.

This resulted in some mockery online, as people swiftly made fun of the design, turning it into a meme almost instantly. Fans didn’t hesitate to remark on the lifeless, mannequin-like appearance of the Surfer’s CGI, with some labeling the character’s look as a “budget Terminator 1000 costume.

It’s important to mention that while the idea of a female Silver Surfer isn’t entirely novel, the character Shalla-Bal was introduced in Marvel Comics back in 1993 and portrayed as a version of the Surfer. However, she was written out of the series after just four issues, and her subsequent appearances in the main Marvel continuity have been sparse at best. As a result, Shalla-Bal is more often remembered as a mere footnote rather than a significant character in the broader Marvel Universe.

Nevertheless, it’s a weak justification to substitute the renowned Norrin Radd with ideological beliefs or agendas instead.

Instead, in an uncommon display of approval, fans lauded the portrayal of Galactus. Many were reassured to find that the world-consuming villain closely resembled his traditional comic book look, a stark contrast to previous adaptations which fell short of expectations. As one user on Soap Central put it, “Thankfully, they got something right—Galactus looks like he just leapt off the pages of the comics.

Moving on, it appears that the strengths of the movie are limited to its visual aspects. The trailer also hints at significant alterations in the team’s past and sequence of events. In other words, Fantastic Four: First Steps will bypass the conventional origin story. According to director Matt Shakman, this deviation is part of their creative approach. As he put it, “One of the ways we’re making it unique is that we’re not narrating the tale of them ascending and being transformed, instead, we’re beginning our narrative at a different point.

Moreover, Shakman shared that the narrative unfolds in a 1960s-inspired, futuristic realm with a retro flair – a setting where it appears that only the Fantastic Four are superheroes. As reported by Nerd Reactor, the movie will draw inspiration from the mid-20th century concept of space-age hopefulness and mix it with the team’s timeless origins.

I have to admit, I’m more fond of the Silver Surfer from the Fantastic Four in RotSS, rather than this gender-swapped version. It doesn’t sit well with me.

— Price of Reason (@priceoreason) April 17, 2025

Introducing an exciting new development, the trailer seems to suggest that Reed and Susan Storm are expecting a child, possibly hinting at the arrival of Franklin Richards, one of Marvel’s mightiest characters. Speculation already abounds about how Franklin’s reality-altering powers may shape the future of the MCU. According to Soap Central, Franklin’s potential could pave the way for fresh chapters in Marvel storytelling.

Furthermore, Franklin transforms into Galactus in certain comic book narratives. As for whether Disney Marvel will translate this story onto the big or small screen, that remains uncertain at present, yet it’s a distinct possibility.

First look at Julia Garner as Silver Surfer in ‘THE FANTASTIC FOUR’

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 17, 2025

First Steps appears to be a blend of familiar elements and innovative approaches. While some aspects, such as Galactus, stay true to the comics, there are also puzzling creative decisions that leave one scratching their head. The narrative twists are intriguing, but there are instances where the CGI seems less than ideal. It remains to be seen if Marvel’s risk will pay off when the movie premieres on July 25, 2025. Fans may find themselves divided, especially concerning the Surfer character, and they might question whether Marvel can improve things in future trailers.

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2025-04-18 16:56

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