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Evangeline Lilly Slams Disney for Replacing Marvel Artists with AI

Evangeline Lilly has condemned Disney for laying off Marvel Studios artists, including veteran concept artist Andy Park. She expressed shock that the people who created iconic characters are being replaced by AI technology. Park, who worked on films like Captain America and Avengers: Endgame, was let go after nearly two decades. Lilly praised the artists as "magicians" who worked tirelessly to bring the Marvel Universe to life.

Key Points: Evangeline Lilly Calls Out Marvel Layoffs, AI Replacements

  • Evangeline Lilly criticizes Disney layoffs of Marvel artists
  • Veteran artist Andy Park let go after nearly two decades
  • Lilly says artists being replaced by AI
  • Park worked on Captain America, Thor, Avengers films
2 min read

"People who invented characters...replaced by AI": 'Ant-Man' actor Evangeline Lilly calls out Marvel layoffs

Ant-Man star Evangeline Lilly criticizes Disney for laying off veteran Marvel artists like Andy Park and replacing them with AI.

"The people who invented these characters...are now being replaced by AI. - Evangeline Lilly"

Los Angeles, May 1

'Ant-Man' actor Evangeline Lilly has expressed her opposition toward the recent Disney layoffs that have also hit a number of Marvel Studios staff members.

In an Instagram video, Lilly shared how she reached out to Marvel Studios' veteran Andy Park, who was also laid off by the company.

"I reached out to my good friend Andy Park, who was the genius behind creating the original Wasp super-suit 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.' And I can't quite believe that Disney has let go of the artists who brought the Marvel Universe to life through their imagination and their genius," the Ant-Man star said.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Park had worked with Marvel for nearly two decades, starting off with 2011's 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'Thor'. He also went on to join the studio's other major projects across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the likes of 'Avengers: Endgame' and the much-awaited 'Avengers: Doomsday'.

In her video, Lilly added that she was shocked to see that people are being replaced by AI.

"The people who invented these characters, who designed them in the first place, are now being replaced by AI. AI that will take their designs and take what those artists created and use it to create iterations of that," she said.

Further in the caption, Lilly wrote, "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."

She slammed Disney Studios for turning their back on the "people who built the power you are now using to throw them away."

Evangeline Lilly joined the MCU in 2015 as Hope van Dyne (aka the Wasp) in 'Ant-Man'. She also appeared in the film's 2018 and 2023 sequels, followed by 'Avengers: Endgame'.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
I'm an artist in the US and this hits hard. If they can replace Marvel artists with AI, what hope do we have? Evangeline is right to call them out, but I wonder if she'll face backlash from Disney. Corporate America has no loyalty—it's all about the bottom line now. Sad to see.
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Priya S
Respect to Evangeline for standing up for her colleagues 🙏 But let's be honest—this is the same industry that pays actors crores while the people who actually create the magic get crumbs. AI is just an excuse to cut costs further. These artists deserve better, whether in Hollywood or Bollywood.
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Rahul R
This is a classic case of short-term thinking. Marvel built its empire on the creativity of people like Andy Park. Firing them to save a few dollars using AI might work today, but in 5 years you'll have generic-looking movies with no innovation. As we say in India, 'Andha kya chaahe, do aankhein'—if you lose your visionaries, you lose your identity.
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James A
As someone who works in VFX, this is terrifying. The industry is already notorious for overworking artists. If AI replaces the concept artists too, where does it end? Evangeline speaking out is brave, but I wish more Marvel actors would join her. This is beyond politics—it's about human dignity in art.
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Nikhil C
Look, I get the outrage, but this is how capitalism works. Companies chase profits, and workers are expendable. The bigger issue is that our education systems don't prepare people for

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