The MCU’s Silver Surfer is not the one that most are familiar with, but it gives Marvel the chance to continue an unresolved Phase 4 story.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four recently added a new character who could finally resolve a Phase 4 cliffhanger. MCU viewers have waited years for Marvel’s First Family to make their debut. In 2025, the wait is over, and more information about the film continues to be released, including the cast. The star-studded crew includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.

However, the film recently added a character viewers may be less familiar with. Julia Garner joined the cast as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer who first premiered in Silver Surfer #1 in 1968. This character could hint towards Galactus, the rumored villain of Fantastic Four, but she also has connections to the Eternals, and it could finally resolve an unresolved Phase 4 storyline.

Fantastic Four’s Shalla-Bal Has Connections To The Eternals Storyline

Shalla-Bal has appeared in many Marvel comic book storylines since her 1968 debut, but her most noteworthy role may be in the Earth X series. In this series, Shalla-Bal is Silver Surfer’s lover and is given the abilities of Silver Surfer by Franklin Richards’ Galactus. After gaining her powers, she assists Galactus on his mission of devouring worlds containing Celestial embryos to keep Celestials in check. Galactus successfully destroys the Celestial stored within the Earth, but Shalla-Bal is killed during the battle with the Celestials.

This story contains many elements contained in Marvel’s Eternals. The Eternals prevented a Celestial from being born that would have destroyed the Earth, leaving a massive frozen Celestial poking out of the planet. Since then, the Celestial hasn’t been addressed, even though it is very noticeable. With Shalla-Bal’s addition, there’s a possibility that her story could connect to the Celestials, and the MCU could finally address the glaring questions that audiences had when Eternals ended.

Shalla-Bal Gives The MCU A Way To Bring Back The Eternals Without Eternals 2

It’s unlikely that Eternals 2 will happen anytime soon since it wasn’t a massive hit. However, Shalla-Bal allows Marvel to continue this story without making an entire sequel. Shalla-Bal and Galactus could battle the Celestials alongside the Eternals, who are currently being held by Arishem the Judge. Additionally, Marvel wants to capitalize on Harry Styles’ cameo, which generated lots of buzz. They could bring Styles back and connect him more to the larger MCU. Shalla-Bal presents Marvel with many opportunities, and Fantastic Four will elaborate more on her role in the MCU.