Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over its multi-platform release strategy for Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson, the star of the recently-released Black Widow film, which was launched on the Disney+ streaming platform, is suing Disney.
The actress claimed that her salary was based on the box office performance of the film
Disney had announced the film, which cost $200m to produce, would be screened in cinemas while also being available to rent on Disney+ for $30.
Disney claimed that it made $60m via rentals in its opening weekend and globally it has made $319m, which makes it one of the lowest-performing Marvel films to date.
Why is Disney being sued?
-
The suit filed by Johansson said: “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.”
-
The actress claimed that her salary was based on the box office performance of the film, which opened strong with $80m in the US, but suffered the steepest second-week decline of any entry within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dropping 67%.
-
Johansson’s lawyers claimed they reached out to Disney in 2019 with concerns about the film being given a multi-platform release. They later tried to renegotiate her contract after the release strategy was changed.
-
“This will surely not be the last case where Hollywood talent stands up to Disney and makes it clear that, whatever the company may pretend, it has a legal obligation to honor its contracts,” said John Berlinski, an attorney at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP who represents Johansson.
-
Disney responded by saying: “There is no merit whatsoever to this filing. The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.”