It’s been less than a week since Marvel Studios executive Victoria Alonso was allegedly fired from the company she helped build, and everyone is wondering what triggered the end of her impressive 17-year stint.
Variety in particular has several theories about her exit backed by anonymous sources.
First, some are saying there were major problems behind the demanding post-production schedule that led Marvel Studios to release seven movies, eight streaming series, and two TV specials in less than two years.
“Complaints ranged from unrelenting overtime to chronic understaffing to the inability to avoid delivering substandard work due to constantly changing deadlines,” Variety wrote. “Some singled out Alonso as a ‘kingmaker’ who would blacklist artists who have ‘pissed her off in any way.’”
One anonymous artist told Variety that “Marvel doesn’t figure sh– out beforehand,” which led to the failure of the studio to provide clear guidelines to its creators, specifically those in charge of delivering the superhero franchise’s special effects.
Another source pushed back on the idea that Alonso behaved in a way that would alienate artists at the studio. “The idea of a very senior exec terrifying rank and file artists, per some reports, feels a bit off,” they told Variety. Another former Disney executive added: “She was the epitome of [a] professional and knows her stuff.”
Variety is reporting that the decision to allegedly fire Alonso “was made by a consortium including human resources, Disney’s legal department and multiple executives including Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman” and that “Marvel chief creative officer Kevin Feige … did not intervene.”
But it isn’t only Variety that has possible theories. So does the internet. Some theorized that Alonso was being scapegoated for the benefit of others.
Others like Chris Lee, a Senior Reporter at Vulture, had anonymous VFX sources that said Alonso “was singularly responsible for Marvel’s toxic work environment.”
Some theorized that Alonso’s strong support for diversity, in a “predominantly male led company,” was part of the reason.
And others are of the opinion that Alonso left Marvel to take on Lucasfilm instead.
Until Disney execs or Victoria Alonso herself gives a statement, this is all just speculation on what ended her 17-year run at Marvel.