This Wild, Unmade Silver Surfer Movie Would Be Great For The MCU"s Future

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An unmade Silver Surfer project plan might reveal the perfect introduction for the cosmic character in the MCU's future. Affiliated with the Fantastic Four and Galactus in Marvel Comics, the Silver Surfer is one of the most highly-anticipated characters to be introduced into the MCU, after previously being seen in live-action in Fox's 2007 film, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, played by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne. Several attempts have been made at a Silver Surfer solo film over the years, including a spinoff of Fox's Fantastic Four series and a 2018 solo project, but none ended up getting developed.
After Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox was finalized in 2019, there was speculation that Marvel Studios had set to work on producing a solo Silver Surfer project. While there has been no confirmation of this film going into production, the recent introduction of Marvel Studios' Special Presentations reignited buzz around the project, with many feeling as though the Silver Surfer would be the perfect character to star in a short special, especially with the announcement that Fantastic Four would release as part of the MCU's Phase 6. With Marvel Studios' shift into "newness," it's possible that they could take inspiration from one unmade, decades-old Silver Surfer plan.
Pre-MCU Movie Plans Explored A Silver Surfer Rock Opera

Speaking to Men's Health in 2019, Lee Kramer, the producer of Xanadu, revealed that he had envisioned a Silver Surfer-centric solo film in 1979, placing world-renowned body-builder Frank Zane in the titular role. As three-time Mr. Olympia, Zane would have been a great fit for the physically-supreme Silver Surfer, a humanoid alien imbued with cosmic power who serves as the herald of the planet-eater Galactus. Kramer's plans for his Silver Surfer-based project would have been "on the scope of 2001: A Space Odyssey with the kind of soundtrack that that film had, only using contemporary rock and roll," acting as an epic and unexpected departure from other superhero flicks.
To create the rock opera style for his Silver Surfer project, Kramer approached none other than Paul McCartney to pen the film's soundtrack, and also sparked the interest of rising star and Kramer's then-girlfriend Olivia Newton-John, who would have portrayed a golden female counterpart to the Silver Surfer named Ardina. Silver Surfer's cosmic origins in Marvel Comics and voyage across the universe in service of Galactus would have lent itself perfectly to the rock opera style. This is something that Marvel Studios could take on board when developing a Silver Surfer project for the MCU, especially with the new direction they've been taking with their recent MCU projects.
Marvel Studios Has Been Exploring New Genres For The MCU

In an effort to break out from the mold of the "Marvel formula," Marvel Studios has recently been experimenting with new styles and genres for their projects, particularly during the MCU's Phase 4. The majority of these new styles have presented themselves in Marvel Studios' Disney+ shows, with Ms. Marvel delving into the world of young-adult, coming-of-age drama, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law exploring the style of legal comedies, and WandaVision taking on sitcom formats from the past seven decades. However, it's in the Special Presentations that Marvel Studios has properly been expressing freedom in their storytelling, which could be the perfect home for the MCU's Silver Surfer.
So far, Marvel Studios has released two Special Presentations, hour-long features released on Disney+ which explore new or pre-existing characters in self-contained stories. Werewolf by Night debuted Gael García Bernal as the MCU's Jack Russell, a.k.a. Werewolf by Night, a man inflicted with an ancient curse that transforms him into a werewolf. Werewolf by Night, directed by Michael Giacchino, took on the style of old Hollywood horror, akin to The Twilight Zone, bringing something completely new to the MCU. Similarly, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special saw the return of the titular space-faring team in a festive adventure, unlike anything the MCU had delivered prior.
A Silver Surfer Rock Opera Would Actually Be Great For The MCU

Sticking with this change in style would benefit the Silver Surfer's introduction into the MCU, as the character is so otherworldly that he deserves a memorable introduction. The fact that Fox previously displayed a more serious take on the Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer means that, should Marvel Studios try something wildly new for the character, the MCU's Silver Surfer will have a great deal of separation from the previous version, and will therefore forego comparison. The sounds of electric guitars and classic rock would perfectly reflect the Silver Surfer's journey across space, and mirror the looming threat that Galactus will pose to the MCU.
With Fantastic Four on the docket for the MCU's Phase 6, many are expecting the Silver Surfer to make his grand debut into Marvel Studios' shared universe very soon, followed closely by Galactus, who could take over from Kang the Conqueror as the MCU's next major villain. Recent speculation has suggested that Marvel Studios will be developing a Silver Surfer Special Presentation, which would provide the perfect opportunity for the MCU to play in the sandbox of a completely new genre. With Marvel Studios shifting future projects onto the debut of new characters and fresh stories, the Silver Surfer could mark one of many changes for the ever-expanding MCU.
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