In a surprising revelation, acclaimed actor Tracy Letts has disclosed that his wife, Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age, Fargo), almost walked away from her role in Avengers: Endgame due to a salary dispute with Marvel Studios. The Tony-nominated playwright shared the behind-the-scenes tension during a recent interview, shedding light on the challenges even established actors face when negotiating with major franchises.
The Pay Dispute That Nearly Ended Coon’s Marvel Tenure
Coon, who voiced Proxima Midnight in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, was reportedly told by Marvel that they would not increase her pay for the sequel, despite the film’s massive scale and success.
“They said, ‘We’re not going to pay you any more money,'” Letts revealed. “And Carrie was like, ‘Well, then I’m not going to do it.'”
The standoff highlights the often-opaque nature of pay negotiations in blockbuster filmmaking, where even talented performers can find themselves at odds with studio budgets. Coon, an Emmy- and Tony-nominated actor known for her work in prestige dramas, ultimately did return for Endgame, but the friction behind the scenes underscores the power dynamics between actors and major franchises.
Why Marvel Needed Coon Back
Proxima Midnight, one of Thanos’ most fearsome lieutenants, played a key role in Infinity War as part of the Black Order. While her character was killed off early in Endgame during the time heist sequence, her presence was still crucial for continuity—especially in flashbacks and reshoots.
Marvel’s insistence on bringing Coon back, despite their initial reluctance to increase her pay, suggests that the studio recognized her performance’s importance. However, the dispute raises questions about how Marvel—and Hollywood at large—values supporting actors in tentpole films.
Coon’s Rising Star vs. Franchise Pay Structures
At the time of Endgame’s production (2017-2018), Coon was already a respected name in television (Fargo, The Leftovers) and theater (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?). Yet, like many actors in superhero films, her role—while memorable—was not a lead, which may have influenced Marvel’s stance on salary.
Letts, himself an accomplished actor and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright (August: Osage County), framed the situation as part of a broader industry issue:
“These big studios have all the leverage. They assume people will just do it for the exposure or the chance to be part of something huge. But actors like Carrie know their worth.”
How the Negotiation Played Out
While Letts didn’t specify whether Coon ultimately received a raise, her return for Endgame suggests some form of compromise was reached. However, the fact that the dispute happened at all is telling—especially since Marvel has faced criticism in the past for pay disparities, including the infamous salary gap between Mark Ruffalo and Scarlett Johansson in The Avengers (2012).
Coon’s situation mirrors that of other supporting actors in franchise films, where pay is often dictated by:
- Screen time (voice vs. live-action, lead vs. supporting)
- Previous franchise commitments (contractual obligations)
- Marketability (whether the actor is considered a draw)
Given that Proxima Midnight was a CGI-enhanced role with limited dialogue, Marvel may have viewed it as easily recastable—a reality many character actors face in effects-heavy blockbusters.
What This Reveals About Hollywood’s Pay Practices
This incident adds to ongoing conversations about fair compensation in Hollywood, particularly for:
- Character actors who bolster films without top billing
- Voice performers whose contributions are sometimes undervalued
- Women in blockbusters, who have historically been paid less than male co-stars
Coon’s willingness to push back—even briefly—reflects a growing trend of actors advocating for themselves in an industry where studio budgets are ballooning, but pay for non-leads often stagnates.
Where Coon’s Career Stands Now
Since Endgame, Coon’s star has only risen. She earned critical acclaim for The Gilded Age and will soon appear in The White Lotus Season 3. Her experience with Marvel hasn’t deterred her from big projects—but it may inform how she approaches future franchise work.
As Letts put it: “She knows what she brings to a role, and she’s not afraid to stand her ground.”
Final Thoughts
While Coon’s Avengers role was relatively small, her pay dispute speaks volumes about the challenges faced by even highly regarded actors in franchise filmmaking. As Hollywood continues to rely on IP-driven blockbusters, questions about fair compensation—especially for supporting players—aren’t going away.