Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over ‘Black Widow’ launch

By Associated Press
LOS ANGELES: Scarlett Johansson is suing the Walt Disney Co. over its streaming launch of “Black Widow,” which she mentioned breached her contract and disadvantaged her of potential earnings.In a lawsuit filed Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Los Angeles Superior Court, the “Black Widow” star and government producer mentioned her contract assured an unique theatrical launch. The Wall Street Journal first reported the information of the lawsuit.Johansson’s potential earnings have been tied to the field workplace efficiency of the movie, which the corporate launched concurrently in theaters and on its streaming service Disney+ for a $30 rental. “In the months leading up to this lawsuit, Ms. Johansson gave Disney and Marvel every opportunity to right their wrong and make good on Marvel’s promise,” the lawsuit mentioned. “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the Agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.”Disney mentioned 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 mentioned in a press release. “Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’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.”After its launch was delayed greater than a yr due to COVID-19, “Black Widow” debuted to a pandemic-best of $80 million in North America and $78 million from worldwide theaters three weeks in the past, however theatrical grosses declined sharply after that. In its second weekend in launch, the National Association of Theater Owners issued a uncommon assertion criticizing the technique asserting that simultaneous launch lends itself solely to misplaced income and better high quality piracy.Once taboo, hybrid theatrical and streaming releases have turn into extra regular for most of the largest studios throughout the pandemic, with every adopting its personal distinctive technique. This weekend, Disney is using the identical technique with “Jungle Cruise,” and subsequent weekend Warner Bros. massive price range “The Suicide Squad” opens each in theaters and on HBO Max.The revised hybrid launch methods over the 16 months have sometimes led to public spats from not simply theater house owners, however stars, filmmakers and financiers who’re sad with the potential misplaced revenues and the alleged unilateral decision-making concerned.The WSJ mentioned Warner Media, as an example, paid over $200 million in “amended agreements” with expertise over its resolution to launch its whole 2021 slate concurrently in theaters and on HBO Max.But none have been as public as Johansson’s lawsuit. The actor, who has been in 9 Marvel films going again to 2010’s “Iron Man 2,” shortly grew to become a trending matter on Twitter on Thursday after information of the lawsuit broke.