On July 25, 2025, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) welcomed a new chapter with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a film that has already captured audiences with its retro-futuristic flair and a compelling cast. Among the standout figures is Julia Garner, who steps into the role of Shalla-Bal, the enigmatic Silver Surfer and herald of the planet-devouring villain Galactus. Beyond her on-screen presence as a cosmic antagonist, Garner has drawn attention for her off-screen passion for vintage fashion, a love that has infused her promotional appearances with a distinctive charm. As of 04:02 PM +07 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, this blend of cinematic villainy and personal style has cemented her as a cultural icon, sparking discussions about how her aesthetic choices reflect both her character and her individuality.
Garner’s casting as Shalla-Bal marks a significant departure from the traditional depiction of the Silver Surfer, a role previously embodied by Doug Jones in the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. In First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman, she portrays a female iteration of the character, Shalla-Bal, a Zenn-Lavian who becomes Galactus’s herald to save her planet, navigating a morally ambiguous path. The film, set in a 1960s-inspired alternate universe, follows the Fantastic Four—Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—as they confront Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald. Garner’s performance, blending mystery and elegance, has been praised, with her character’s allegiance left tantalizingly unclear until the narrative unfolds.
Off-screen, Garner’s fascination with vintage fashion has become a talking point during the film’s promotional tour. Her wardrobe choices for events like the London premiere on July 10 and the Los Angeles premiere on July 22 have paid homage to her character while showcasing her personal style. At the London event, she wore an archival Thom Browne dress from the spring 2017 collection, its asymmetrical design and metallic sheen echoing the Silver Surfer’s otherworldly allure. The gown, paired with a sheer bodysuit and a peekaboo bra, merged retro elegance with modern daring, a nod to the 1960s aesthetic of the film. For the LA premiere, she donned a custom Gucci gown in iridescent blue with teal accents, its thigh-high slit and shimmering finish reflecting her character’s cosmic essence while aligning with the Fantastic Four’s signature palette.
This love for vintage fashion is not a new facet of Garner’s identity. The 31-year-old actress, best known for Ozark and Inventing Anna, has long expressed an affinity for the styles of past decades, particularly the 1950s and 1960s. In interviews, she has cited icons like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly as influences, admiring their timeless silhouettes and the way they blended sophistication with individuality. Her stylist, Elizabeth Saltzman, has collaborated with her to curate looks that draw from vintage collections, such as the Erdem Resort 2026 dress with silver sequins worn at the London photocall on July 11. Garner’s approach, combining historical inspiration with contemporary twists, mirrors her character’s duality—both a herald of destruction and a figure of potential redemption.
Garner’s preparation for the Silver Surfer role deepened her connection to this aesthetic. She studied comic book panels and surfing poses, integrating them into her performance through motion capture, aiming for an “elegant, dance-like” movement. This research extended to her fashion choices, where she sought outfits that mirrored Shalla-Bal’s metallic, fluid grace. The Thom Browne dress, with its disco-ball shimmer, and the Gucci gown’s oceanic hues, were deliberate selections to embody her character’s cosmic journey, a method-dressing approach akin to Zendaya’s Dune looks or Margot Robbie’s Barbie ensembles. Garner has noted, “The costume has to be aesthetically pleasing—especially with Marvel,” highlighting her intent to bridge her personal style with her role.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps narrative enhances this synergy. Set in a retro-futuristic 1960s, the film’s design—featuring a flying car reminiscent of Jacques Tati films and a practical makeup approach for The Thing—complements Garner’s vintage-inspired wardrobe. Her character’s ambiguity, as a herald torn between Galactus’s will and her own conscience, parallels the tension between tradition and innovation in her fashion choices. Fans have embraced this, with social media posts on platforms like X lauding her “Silver Surfer chic,” though some critique the CGI rendering of her character, preferring the practical effects seen in Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal of The Thing.
Garner’s response to casting backlash further underscores her focus on craft over controversy. When some fans objected to a female Silver Surfer, citing the male Norrin Radd from the comics, she told the BBC on July 11, “I’m just gonna still do my job. Also, it’s Shalla-Bal, so it’s different.” This resilience, paired with her excitement about reaching diverse audiences—a motivation she shared in a January 2025 interview—reflects her commitment to the role, informed by her comic book research. Her vintage fashion passion, evident in her Erdem lace-trimmed slip and Jimmy Choo heels, serves as a personal anchor, grounding her in a character that spans galaxies.
The film’s success, with a 7.5 IMDb rating and positive early reviews, has bolstered Garner’s profile. Critics praise the family dynamics and action, though some note the villain’s motivations lack depth, a challenge Garner navigates with her mysterious portrayal. Her press tour looks—ranging from metallic Thom Browne to shimmering Gucci—have been celebrated by outlets like W Magazine, which dubbed her “turning superhero style into a real-life superpower.” This fusion of vintage elegance and futuristic cool has made her a standout, with fans noting her platinum curls and neutral makeup as perfect complements to her character’s sheen.
Garner’s background informs this duality. Raised in the Bronx, she began acting in indie films like Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), her vintage interest emerging from thrift store finds with her mother. Her Emmy-winning role as Ruth Langmore in Ozark showcased her versatility, while her modeling for Kate Spade and interest in Brutalist architecture—mentioned during her Fantastic Four casting talks—reveal a eclectic taste. This personal style has now elevated her villainous role, making Shalla-Bal a fashion statement as much as a narrative force.
The broader context of First Steps enhances her impact. As the 37th MCU film, it introduces the Fantastic Four to the franchise, with a cast including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. Garner’s Shalla-Bal, with her ambiguous energy, adds intrigue, her vintage-inspired press looks mirroring the film’s retro-futuristic vibe. This alignment has sparked discussions about representation, with some fans appreciating a female Silver Surfer, while others debate the CGI, a critique Garner sidesteps with her focus on performance.
As The Fantastic Four: First Steps continues to draw audiences, Julia Garner’s blend of villainy and vintage fashion stands out. Her emotional connection to the role, paired with her off-screen style, creates a unique legacy, proving that even a cosmic antagonist can shine with the elegance of a bygone era. For Garner, this is not just a job—it’s a dance between past and future, played out on the world’s stage.
