The One Thing Elizabeth Olsen Can’t Stand About Acting – You Won’t Believe What It Is

Elizabeth Olsen, an actress known for her dynamic roles in both independent films and major blockbuster franchises, has had a remarkable career trajectory. From her breakout role in Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) to her iconic portrayal of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Olsen has become one of Hollywood’s most respected talents. However, despite her success, Olsen has expressed some frustrations with the profession she loves. One of the most consistent themes in her interviews over the years has been her dislike for a particular aspect of acting—self-centered actors who prioritize their own focus over teamwork.

A Career Built on Collaboration

Olsen’s acting career began at a young age, influenced by her famous twin sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who were child stars. However, Elizabeth forged her own path, eventually attending New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and graduating in 2013. Her breakout role in Martha Marcy May Marlene earned critical acclaim, marking her as a unique talent capable of balancing both indie films and blockbuster projects like Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Throughout her career, Olsen has emphasized the importance of collaboration in acting. Despite the challenges she has faced—such as adapting to the demanding schedules of television production, as seen in her role on Sorry for Your Loss (2018-2019)—she has never expressed any aversion to the medium itself. Instead, she views these challenges as opportunities for growth and development, understanding that different genres and formats require distinct approaches.

The Frustration with Self-Centered Actors

However, one thing that has repeatedly irked Olsen throughout her career is the behavior of certain actors who focus solely on themselves at the expense of the collaborative spirit of filmmaking. In a 2013 interview with Dazed & Confused, Olsen candidly admitted, “Sometimes I can’t stand the bulls**t of actors. You know, when they’re more interested in getting in the zone than they are about showing up and doing their job and remembering that film is a group activity. When you’re an actor, it’s not about you. It’s about a team.”

This sentiment was echoed in later interviews, including a 2022 article on CheatSheet, where she reaffirmed her frustration with actors who believe they are the most important person in the room. This mindset, she pointed out, disrupts the essential teamwork that film production relies on. Olsen’s emphasis on collaboration has been a core value of hers since childhood, where she would even buy team-themed trinkets for her siblings to reinforce this principle.

Green Screen Acting and Career Challenges

While Olsen’s disdain for self-centered actors is her most direct criticism of the acting world, she has also expressed discomfort with other aspects of the craft. For example, her experience with green screen acting for MCU films was less than ideal. In a 2024 Pajiba interview, she described the process as “a 7-year-old playing make-believe,” acknowledging the difficulty of acting in front of a green screen without tangible surroundings. However, she didn’t go as far as to say she hated it—instead, she advocated for audiences to appreciate the challenge by seeing raw footage, highlighting that it’s more about the technical challenge than a personal dislike.

Another challenge Olsen has openly discussed is her post-Martha Marcy May Marlene career phase, where she admitted to getting “lazy” in her role choices. In a 2022 interview with The Independent, she confessed to taking roles just because they were available, acknowledging that she didn’t always fully engage with the material. This was more a reflection on her career strategy rather than any hatred for the craft of acting. She was seeking variety and an escape from being pigeonholed into certain types of roles.

Olsen’s frustration with being typecast was also evident in a 2023 Resetera discussion, where she expressed the need for “other characters in my life” beyond Wanda Maximoff. Despite this, her feelings were less about a general aversion to acting and more about her desire for creative freedom and to explore new horizons.

Social Media and Public Scrutiny

In addition to these professional challenges, Olsen also faced issues with social media and public scrutiny, which she addressed by deleting her Instagram account in 2020. As reported by Looper in 2022, she explained that her decision was motivated by issues with virtue-signaling, rather than bullying, and that she preferred to focus on her non-profit work. While this decision reflected her feelings about the pressures of public life, it was more about her personal preferences outside of acting rather than a direct criticism of her career.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Teamwork and Collaboration

Throughout her career, Elizabeth Olsen has navigated the highs and lows of acting with a clear focus on the importance of collaboration. While she has occasionally voiced frustrations about certain aspects of the craft—particularly the behavior of self-centered actors—Olsen’s approach to her work has always been rooted in the belief that acting is a team effort. Her ability to thrive in both independent films and major franchises like the MCU speaks to her versatility and commitment to her craft, as well as her deep understanding of the importance of working together as a unit to create great art.

For fans and industry insiders alike, Olsen’s candid reflections provide valuable insight into the world of acting, reminding us that behind every great performance is a team of people working together to bring a story to life.