Evangeline Lilly is speaking out—and she’s not holding back.
The actress, best known for her role as Janet Van Dyne (The Wasp) in the Marvel Studios universe, has publicly criticized The Walt Disney Company following reports that approximately 8% of Marvel’s staff across New York and Burbank were laid off.
In a candid video shared online, Lilly detailed how she first learned about the cuts through a personal connection. “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 stated.
The revelation clearly struck a nerve. “I can’t quitebelieve that. That Disney have let go of the artists who brought the current Marvel Universe to life through their imagination and their genius,” she continued.
But Lilly didn’t stop there. In a lengthy Instagram post, she expanded her criticism, particularly focusing on the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and creative labor.
“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?!?!?”
Her comments tap into a broader industry debate—one that has intensified in recent years as studios increasingly explore AI-driven efficiencies while creative professionals raise concerns about authorship, compensation, and long-term sustainability.
Lilly also made a point to honor the artists directly impacted by the layoffs. “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.”
Her most pointed remark, however, was reserved for Disney itself: “@disney SHAME ON YOU for turning your back on the people who built the power you are now using to throw them away.”
As conversations around labor, technology, and corporate responsibility continue to evolve in Hollywood, Lilly’s comments underscore a growing willingness among talent to publicly challenge the systems behind the screen.
