It seems LaKeith Stanfield may have let the cat out of the bag after all!
In one of the most talked-about casting announcements in recent memory, we learned that Julia Garner (Ozark) had joined the cast of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four as a female take on the Silver Surfer.
Garner will play the Shalla-Bal version of the character, however, which led to speculation that the original Sentinel of the Spaceways might also appear.
Now, insider Daniel Richtman is reporting that Norrin Radd will indeed be introduced alongside Shalla-Bal in the MCU reboot.
Has the role already been cast?
In a since-deleted social media post, Haunted Mansion and Atlanta star LaKeith Stanfield commented on Garner’s casting by saying, “Thought it was going to be me but ig.”
In the original Marvel Comics continuity, Shalla-Bal was the Empress of the planet Zenn-La, and was the first love of Norrin Radd. When Galactus came to devour their planet, Radd volunteered to become his herald in exchange for sparing Zenn-La. Later, when Franklin Richards took over as the new Galactus, he imbued Shalla with the same cosmic powers and allowed her to serve as a twin herald alongside Radd.
It remains to be seen if the movie will take inspiration from the comics when it comes to these characters, but another recent rumor claimed that “there will be some connection between Franklin [Richards] and Galactus in the film.”
The Fantastic Four stars Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) as Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) as Sue Storm, aka the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Punisher, The Bear) as Ben Grimm, aka the Thing.
There are rumors that both Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and Mads Mikkelsen (Rogue One) are top picks to play Doctor Doom, but other actors are sure to be in contention. Galactus has been confirmed as the main villain, but no actor is currently in talks for the part. Last we heard, Javier Bardem was said to be the “top choice” to play the Eater of Worlds, but it was noted that scheduling conflicts may prevent him from signing on. Antonio Banderas was also a rumoured
Plot details are still a mystery, but The Fantastic Four will reportedly actually be set in an alternate universe. If accurate, this would obviously suggest that the characters will be Variants from some other part of the Multiverse that will eventually find their way to the main MCU timeline (possibly due to the interdimensional rift Dar-Benn caused at the end of The Marvels).
Production is expected to get underway this summer, and the film is set to bow on July 25, 2025.