New Fantastic Four 2025 Concept Art Proves Silver Surfer’s Planet Almost Looked Way Better

by

Concept art recently released for Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps reveals some early ideas for the Silver Surfer’s home planet that didn’t make it into the final movie. With the film being relatively short, a lot of planned concepts, including these, were ultimately cut during development. Fans are now getting a glimpse into the creative process behind the Fantastic Four’s introduction to the MCU.

New concept art reveals what the Silver Surfer’s home planet, Zenn-La, will look like in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. The images are from the book Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps – The Art Of The Movie, which showcases concept designs for key scenes and characters – even some ideas that didn’t make the final cut, like the robot HERBIE.

The book features pictures of Zenn-La as a thriving planet with a normal, everyday society. We see one of its cities, built into the side of a mountain with houses and walkways, and larger, dome-covered public spaces. There’s also a dramatic coastal cliff with a huge statue of a surfer riding a wave carved into the rock face.

A golden statue of a surfer stands prominently in the city near the beach. People gather in a nearby pavilion, enjoying the sunset. Birds fly around the statue, silhouetted against one of Zenn-La’s moons.

Other pictures offer a closer, more personal view of life on Zenn-La, including one of a mother and child inside a home. The home features a round window with a view of the ocean.

I was really struck by the fashion on Zenn-La! I saw these two women wearing incredible dresses and cloaks – the colors were amazing, a beautiful mix of reds, golds, and purples. It really caught my eye!

The story also shows beautiful scenes of Zenn-La’s beaches, including a couple meditating and a surfer wiping out in the waves.

According to concept illustrator Ian Joyner, the planet was designed to feel like a desirable vacation spot. Surfing is also a core part of Shalla-Bal’s history on Zenn-La – it’s a fundamental aspect of who she is, not something she picked up from Galactus. The golden statue commemorates Shalla-Bal’s sacrifice: she willingly accompanied Galactus to save her planet.

We wanted surfing to feel like a core part of her personality, not something she just received from Galactus. The goal was to weave that surfing lifestyle and culture into her backstory, so even if she loses other aspects of herself, that part of her would always remain. It’s a small detail meant to preserve her identity – not necessarily her humanity, but whatever defines a person from Zenn-La. Regarding the golden statue, we pictured a future where Shalla-Bal’s sacrifice is still remembered and celebrated, years later.

The movie’s final version shows Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, the female Silver Surfer, simply walking on a beach with her child right before Galactus’s ship appears in the sky.

Beyond the beach, you can see one of Zenn-La’s moons and a mountain range behind Shalla-Bal and her daughter.

The movie included less than 40 seconds of footage showing Shalla-Bal’s life before she became the Silver Surfer. This footage was filmed just a few months before the release of The Fantastic Four; actress Jessica Garner was seen filming in costume on a Los Angeles beach in May 2025.

Marvel Studios concluded 2025 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, kicking off Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the movie takes place four years after the Fantastic Four first came together. The team must now face a huge threat: Galactus, who intends to destroy Earth. You can now watch The Fantastic Four: First Steps on Disney+.

Will Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer Return to the MCU?

Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer underwent a lot of development during the making of the film, ultimately becoming a central figure in The Fantastic Four‘s story. Now that her first MCU appearance ended with a surprising twist, fans are eager to see what happens to the character next.

The movie concluded with the Surfer unexpectedly attacking Galactus, propelling him into a dimensional portal built by Reed Richards, effectively stranding him in another part of the universe. Though Galactus remains a dangerous threat, their dynamic is irrevocably altered by the Surfer’s actions.

The Fantastic Four will be heavily involved in upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe films, particularly Avengers: Doomsday, where they’ll be key in bringing together the Avengers and other heroes to fight Doctor Doom. While they’re focused on that, and the subsequent Avengers: Secret Wars, Galactus will likely be preparing a new attack on Earth-828.

I’m really curious about what’s next for the Silver Surfer! There’s been talk that she might get her own special on Disney+, which I’d love to see. It could show us more about her history or what she’s up to now. After that amazing introduction in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I know a lot of fans – myself included – will be eagerly waiting to see what happens with her next.

Read More

2026-01-21 04:40