Ousted Marvel Studios producer Victoria Alonso fought back against claims she was fired for working on a project outside the studio, saying she was 'silenced' after calling out her former boss over his political maneuvering.
Variety reported that Alonso's attorney, Patty Glaser, hit back against allegations Alonso was fired over her work on the documentary Argentina, 1985, produced in part by Disney/Marvel competitor Amazon Studios. Instead, Glaser claimed, "Victoria, a gay Latina who had the courage to criticize Disney, was silenced." Alonso had been vocal in criticizing former Disney CEO Bob Chapek over his back-and-forth approach to Florida's contentious "Don't Say Gay" bill. Glaser said Alonso "was terminated when she refused to do something she believed was reprehensible. Disney and Marvel made a really poor decision that will have serious consequences." Alonso's attorney also stated there would be more information forthcoming from the producer herself.
In 2022, Alonso allegedly criticized Chapek both publicly and privately, telling him, "If what we sell is entertainment for the family, we don't choose what family." When accepting a GLAAD award for The Eternals, she again addressed Chapek and urged him to "take a stand against all of these crazy outdated laws. Take a stand for family." Alonso urged the room "to stop being silent -- silence is death. Silence is poison. [...] As long as I am at Marvel Studios I will fight for representation for all of us."
Marvel Studios and Victoria Alonso Part Ways
Following Alonso's departure from Marvel Studios, reports emerged suggesting her seemingly abrupt dismissal was prompted by allegations she had created a hostile work environment for Marvel's visual effects department, which she oversaw as the studio's President of Physical, Post Production, VFX and Animation. The department has repeatedly been the target of criticism, with artists citing brutal working hours and impractical demands for VFX works. After Alonso's departure, however, many Marvel employees have come to her defense, calling her "a supportive force on set" and "the epitome of professional."
According to earlier reports, Alonso was fired over press work for Argentina, 1985, something she allegedly was prohibited from even though Disney had at least retroactively sanctioned her producing the documentary. According to Glaser, however, the "idea that Victoria was fired over a handful of press interviews relating to a personal passion project about human rights and democracy that was nominated for an Oscar and which she got Disney's blessing to work on is absolutely ridiculous."
Alonso had been with Marvel Studios for 17 years. Her first company credits were co-producer and visual effects producer for Iron Man (2008).
Source: Variety