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.
“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 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.”
Jul 29, 2021, 8:17 PM – Updated on Jul 29, 2021, 11:15 PM
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Disney wanted to draw audiences away from movie theaters to its own streaming service to generate revenue, grow subscribers and to devalue Johansson’s contract, the actress said in a complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Disney fired back aggressively calling Johansson’s complaint “sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.” The company said it fully complied with Johansson’s contract and she already earned $20 million from the film.
Johansson’s complaint underscores what is likely to be an ongoing issue for Hollywood as studios increasingly look to release their films earlier online to boost the subscription revenue they generate from their streaming services. In the wake of the pandemic, studios are opting for more releases through paid online platforms.
Scarlett Johansson files lawsuit against Disney after Black Widow was released on streaming service
The Marvel Cinematic Universe actress took action after Black Widow was released on Disney+, with a lawsuit filed to court claiming her contract guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release. But the multinational media company has hit back.
Zoe ZaczekDigital Reporter
July 30, 2021 - 10:00AM
Scarlett Johansson has launched a major lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company after her movie Black Widow was released on its streaming service at the same time it hit the theatres.
The 36-year-old star of the latest Marvel blockbuster said her contract guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release, according to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.
Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over streaming release of Black Widow
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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 morning 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.