‘Ant-Man’ Star Evangeline Lilly Criticizes Disney for Layoffs and Calls Company Disgusting
Evangeline Lilly has voiced her strong disapproval of Disney following the recent layoffs at Marvel, defending the creative workers impacted by the company’s decisions.
The actress, recognized for her role as The Wasp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, responded to reports indicating that Disney had let go of approximately 1,000 employees. According to industry sources, including Deadline, Marvel was significantly affected, particularly with a noticeable decrease in its visual development team.
In an Instagram video, Lilly shared her reaction, explaining that she first learned about the layoffs online and later confirmed the news through a friend in the industry. That friend, concept artist Andy Park, revealed that he had been let go.
Lilly expressed her shock at the decision and found it difficult to comprehend. She stated, “I can’t quite believe that Disney have let go of the artists who brought the current Marvel Universe to life through their imagination and their genius.”
She emphasized that the creative contributions behind Marvel films come from real individuals. Lilly argued that the designs, characters, and visual identity of the franchise were crafted by artists, not machines.
In her remarks, she also raised concerns regarding the role of artificial intelligence in creative fields. She suggested that some of the original creators behind Marvel’s visuals may be replaced as technology becomes more integrated into production.
However, reports from Disney leadership, including a memo from CEO Josh D’Amaro cited by Deadline, did not mention AI as a factor in the layoffs. The company characterized the cuts as part of an initiative to streamline operations.
Lilly expressed her sympathy for those impacted, particularly Marvel’s creative staff. She stated, “If you’re a huge fan of Marvel, just take a moment today to think about them, to send up a prayer for them, to honor them, to honor the people who created the world that you fell in love with,”
She also strongly condemned Disney’s actions, declaring, “I think it’s disgusting and horrible, and I stand with all the artists.”
In further comments shared online, Lilly advocated for the artists involved in Marvel projects and called for enhanced protections for creative workers, especially regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.
She praised the dedication that went into constructing the Marvel universe, noting that the work was the result of committed teams who invested long hours to bring the films to fruition.
Lilly has been a part of the Marvel franchise for several years, beginning with ‘Ant-Man’ and continuing in subsequent films such as ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’
This situation underscores a growing conflict in the entertainment sector between corporate decisions and creative labor. While companies often restructure for efficiency, it raises genuine concerns when long-standing creative teams are affected. It also highlights how passionately actors and artists feel about protecting the individuals behind major franchises. What are your thoughts on Evangeline Lilly’s response and the Marvel layoffs? Share your opinions in the comments.