Disney Responds to Scarlett Johansson's Lawsuit Over Black Widow Contract

Disney has swiftly addressed the lawsuit filed by actress Scarlett Johansson regarding her contract for the film Black Widow. The company firmly asserted that the lawsuit lacks any validity, expressing disappointment over what they characterized as a heartless disregard for the ongoing global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “This filing has no merit at all,” Disney stated in a response to Deadline. “We have adhered to Ms. Johansson’s contract completely, and the release of Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access has actually increased her potential earnings beyond the $20 million she has already received.”

Claims of Earnings Impact

While it may seem astounding that Johansson has already earned $20 million, her legal team argues that the simultaneous streaming release has significantly hindered her earnings potential. They claim that this decision cost her an additional $50 million, which she would have earned had the film been released exclusively in theaters. The film generated approximately $60 million from streaming and around $315 million from ticket sales, figures that fall short of prior Marvel releases that were not launched during a pandemic.

Allegations Against Disney

Johansson’s lawsuit alleges that she was assured by Marvel, a subsidiary of Disney, that Black Widow would initially be a theatrical exclusive, a commitment that was evidently not honored. Her legal team contends that Disney’s choice to release the film on its platform was driven by a desire to boost subscriber numbers for Disney+, an action they describe as a tactic to enhance Disney’s stock price. Johansson’s attorney remarked that Disney is simply using Covid-19 as an excuse for their actions.

Current Status of the Lawsuit

Currently, Johansson is pursuing both financial and punitive damages in her lawsuit. As a fan of the Marvel franchise, it’s disheartening to witness a significant female-led project embroiled in a contentious legal dispute, prompting speculation about whether a male star would face similar circumstances.

Unless the parties reach a settlement before the case goes to trial, a judge will ultimately determine the outcome.

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Summary

Disney has responded to Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit over her contract for Black Widow, claiming the suit lacks merit and that the film’s streaming release has actually benefited her earnings. Johansson argues the streaming decision cost her significant income. The dispute raises questions about gender dynamics in Hollywood, especially regarding female-led films. A resolution is pending as the parties prepare for possible litigation.