Overview

• At the July 11 London premiere, Garner told the BBC she would “just do her job” amid early criticism of her casting.
• She clarified that she portrays Shalla-Bal, the immortal Empress of Zenn-La and distinct female herald from the comics, not a gender-swapped Silver Surfer.
• The first trailer, released in February, was widely praised for its depiction of cosmic elements and helped turn around fan sentiment.
• The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to debut July 25 as part of Marvel’s Phase Six, directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
• Shalla-Bal’s appearance marks the character’s first live-action portrayal and expands the MCU’s cosmic lore ahead of the film’s release.