MCU Star Slams Disney Layoffs After Marvel Creators Were Let Go

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Disney is facing tough criticism as a Marvel star speaks out.

On April 14th, Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, announced job cuts in a company memo, stating the need to “streamline operations.” This resulted in the elimination of around 1,000 positions, including roles within Marvel Studios, particularly impacting their visual development team. Among those laid off was Andy Park, a popular and long-time employee of 16 years.

Evangeline Lilly, the actress who plays in Ant-Man, publicly criticized Disney and Marvel Studios on Instagram after recent layoffs. She was particularly upset about the departure of a key creative figure who designed the original Wasp suit and contributed to Ant-Man and the Wasp. Lilly expressed her disappointment with a post calling out Disney and suggesting that the use of artificial intelligence played a role in the changes at the studio.

Why aren’t there laws protecting artists from having their work used by AI companies? It’s unfair that these companies profit from artists’ creativity while the artists themselves struggle financially. California legislators, what action are you taking to address this issue?

To the incredibly talented artists at Marvel Studios who created the amazing early days of the MCU: I deeply appreciate your work. I witnessed firsthand the dedication and tireless effort you poured into bringing these stories to life. You are the true creative force behind the magic, and that will never be forgotten, no matter what happens with future projects.

I’m incredibly disappointed in Disney right now. It feels like they’re forgetting the people who helped make them the huge success they are today, and it’s really upsetting to see them treat those loyal fans and creators so poorly.

Hey everyone! Let’s show some appreciation for @andyparkart! He’s the artist behind the designs of so many of your favorite Marvel characters, and we want him to know how much his work means to us.

Thanks to @producer.patrick for sharing! You can find more details in my stories – just click to see the full post.

A highly successful visual effects team, responsible for work on major Marvel Cinematic Universe films like Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, has been significantly reduced. This included artists, illustrators, and designers, as well as technical specialists. According to a memo from D’Amaro, these cuts weren’t due to the team’s performance or the company’s financial health, but rather a strategic move to better allocate resources and prioritize future investments.

While it’s unclear if AI contributed, the recent layoffs at Marvel Studios were likely due to a decrease in production and Disney’s need to reduce costs. This resulted in the elimination of jobs, including those held by long-time employees.

Evangeline Lilly began her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2015 with Ant-Man, playing Hope van Dyne, also known as the Wasp. She continued in the sequels, Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and Quantumania (2023), and also appeared in Avengers: Endgame. In 2024, Lilly announced she is taking a break from acting and won’t be in future Marvel films like Avengers: Doomsday, even though Paul Rudd will reprise his role as Ant-Man.

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2026-05-01 18:40