Disney has settled a lawsuit with former Marvel Studios VFX chief Victoria Alonso after her surprising firing last month.
While details between Alonso and Disney are confidential, insiders state that there was a multimillion-dollar financial compensation for the former Marvel big wig.
Alonso was abruptly fired on March 17, after spending nearly 17 years at Marvel Studios.
A Storied Career
The Hollywood producer originally joined Marevel in 2006 at the behest of Louis D’Espositio, who was working on the first Iron Man film with Jon Favreau.
Photo: Deadline
Initially brought on as a VFX producer, Alonso worked her way up at Marvel, eventually becoming President of Physical, Post Production, Visual Effects, and Animation.
Although Alonso continued to be highly respected inside the entertainment industry, she was the subject of controversy and criticism when Marvel VFX artists began to complain about working conditions
Photo: Disney
In January 2023, Vulture reported that as VFX artists were being pushed to their breaking point by Marevel, Alonso was keeping a blacklist of employees who failed to hit scene quotas or left projects early.
Then came the shocking news that Alonso, largely seen as one of the key pieces at Marvel, had been shown the door.
Why Was Alonso Fired?
In the wake of her surprising firing, some Hollywood insiders suggested that Alonso was fired for working outside of her employment contract. Alonso had produced an Oscar-nominated documentary titled Argentina, 1985.
Photo: Marvel Studios
For her part, Alonso denied that her work on the documentary was the reason she was let go. Instead, Alonso claimed that Disney was silencing her for speaking out against the company on social issues.
“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. Victoria, a gay Latina who had the courage to criticize Disney, was silenced. Then she 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. There is a lot more to this story and Victoria will be telling it shortly — in one forum or another.” Her lawyer said in a statement.
Photo by Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Disney’s Response
Disney rebuffed Alonso’s claims releasing their own statement.
“It’s unfortunate that Victoria is sharing a narrative that leaves out several key factors concerning her departure. Including an indisputable breach of contract and a direct violation of company policy. We will continue to wish her the best for the future. And thank her for her numerous contributions to the studio.”
Photo: Disney
Based on the new settlement agreement, we may never know why Alonso was let go.
What is clear however is that her departure marks a drastic change for Marvel.
Image: Also Marvel.com
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