Evangeline Lilly Criticizes Disney Following Marvel Studios Layoffs

Evangeline Lilly is taking Disney to task over recent workforce reductions at Marvel Studios.

The 46-year-old actress, known for her portrayal of Janet Van Dyne/The Wasp across the Ant-Man films, has voiced her disapproval of the company's decision to cut roughly 8% of staff from Marvel's New York and Burbank offices.

During a video message, Lilly recounted reaching out to Andy Park, the artist responsible for designing the original Wasp suit and concept art for Ant-Man and the Wasp. "I reached out to my good friend Andy Park, who was the genius behind creating the original Wasp supersuit and the original Wasp concept drawings for the film Ant-Man and the Wasp, and just said, 'Is this true? Is this really what's happening?' And he said, 'Yeah, it's true. I have been let go,'" she explained.

The actress expressed her shock at the dismissals, stating: "I can't quite believe that. That Disney have let go of the artists who brought the current Marvel Universe to life through their imagination and their genius."

On Instagram, Lilly expanded on her concerns, questioning the use of artist work to train artificial intelligence systems. "Where are the laws that REMOVE all human art from the AI bank?!? Why do they get to steal our brilliance and use it to make executives rich while the artists responsible for feeding their robots go hungry?? Disgusting. California lawmakers…where are you?!?!?" she wrote.

She went on to honor the creative team's contributions, saying: "To the @marvelstudios artists who designed and brought to life the glory days of Marvel…I salute you ?. I was there. I know what you did. I know how passionately you worked round the clock to make magic happen. You are the magicians, no matter what the Wizards of our new Oz make it look like going forward. I will never forget."

Lilly concluded her message with a direct rebuke: "@disney SHAME ON YOU for turning your back on the people who built the power you are now using to throw them away."

Her stance adds to a growing chorus of Marvel talent voicing concerns about the studio's recent decisions.