Julia Garner Responds to Initial Criticism for Playing Gender-Swapped Silver Surfer in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'

Julia Garner is responding to criticism.

The 31-year-old The Fantastic Four: First Steps responded to some grumbling about the idea of her playing a gender-swapped Silver Surfer in the upcoming Marvel movie.

During an appearance at the movie’s premiere in London, Julia was asked about the idea that a man should play Silver Surfer.

“I said, ‘I’m just going to still do my job,’” she said of the backlash, via BBC, adding that she didn’t pay much attention to the discourse and focused on delivering her best version of the character.

She also noted that she plays a variation on the character, adding, “Also, it’s Shalla-Bal, so it’s different.”

Shalla-Bal first appeared in “The Silver Surfer” #1 in 1968, and is the female counterpart to Norrin Radd, who was featured in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. In that movie, he was played by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne.

After the trailer debuted for the new movie however, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“I was just happy that people are resonating with it, just like any other project,” Julia added. “I’m grateful to be at this dance, to be completely honest with you.”

Watch the latest trailer here!