Scarlett Johansson is suing the Walt Disney Co. over its streaming release of Black Widow; which she said breached her contract and deprived her of potential earnings. In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court; the Black Widow star and executive producer said her contract guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news of the lawsuit. Johansson’s potential earnings were tied to the box office performance of the film, which the company released simultaneously in theatres and on its streaming service Disney+ for a $30 rental.
there’s no fucking way scarlet johansson thought she was important enough to sue disney
does she actually have any fucking idea what disney is 😭😭😭 https://t.co/th1wS5vyEo
— “FAITH DELUXE” OUT FRIDAY 💫🕊 (@geezaws) July 29, 2021
“In the months leading up to this lawsuit; Ms. Scarlett Johansson gave Disney and Marvel every opportunity to right their wrong and make good on Marvel’s promise,” the lawsuit said. “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the Agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realising the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.” Disney said the lawsuit has “no merit whatsoever.” “The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Disney said in a statement. “Disney has fully complied with Ms. Scarlett’s contract and furthermore, the release of Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date.”