One of the 'Avengers: Infinity War' key villains refused to reprise her role in the blockbuster sequel 'Avengers: Endgame' because of disagreement over her pay.
- April 3, 2025
AceShowbiz - It's not every day that an actor turns down a role in what is sure to be a blockbuster hit, but that's exactly what Emmy-nominated actress Carrie Coon did. Coon, who portrayed Proxima Midnight in the 2018 juggernaut "Avengers: Infinity War", declined to return for the sequel, "Avengers: Endgame".
According to Coon's husband, Tracy Letts, the studio's reluctance to offer her more money led to her decision to step away from the franchise. While on the podcast "The Big Picture", Letts detailed the conversation that transpired between Coon and Marvel.
"I believe [Marvel] went to her for the second one, and they asked her to be in the second one," Letts said as quoted by PEOPLE. "And she said, 'Well, the first one is the most successful movie ever made. Are you going to pay me any more money?' "
"And they said, 'No. We're not going to pay you any more money.' She said, 'Wow, you're not going to pay me any more money, then I don't think I'm going to do it.' And they said, 'Well, you should feel yourself fortunate to be part of the Marvel Universe.' So she declined."
Coon's initial role in "Infinity War" transitioned from what was supposed to be a straightforward voiceover task to a full motion-capture performance, which required her physical presence on set, all while she was pregnant.
Despite her contributions and the immense success of the film, Marvel's refusal to adjust her pay left Coon in a position where she felt undervalued. To her, the raise was a justified ask considering the box office smash that "Infinity War" turned out to be, earning over $2 billion globally and ranking as the sixth-highest-grossing film of all time.
The issue of underpayment is not unique to Coon. The reality for many actors, even those at the top of their game like Djimon Hounsou, is a struggle to earn wages commensurate with their work.
Coon's stance echoes frustrations within the industry where performers seek fair compensation for their efforts, particularly in projects that demand significant time and can limit other professional opportunities.
Although Coon didn't physically reprise her role in "Endgame", her voice was still used for Proxima Midnight in an uncredited capacity. Interestingly, she later hinted at the possibility of future projects within the Marvel universe, joking, "No one ever dies. It's very possible I could have my own Avengers movie next."
