Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney Over Streaming Release Of Marvel's Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson sues Disney: Johansson's solo film — Black Widow — released in theatre on July 9 across the world, except in India due to the ongoing second wave of the coronavirus. Now, the actor has slammed Disney’s decision to release the superhero film on the digital streaming platform at the same time it hit theatres.

It has sparked a legal battle as Johansson says she was promised by Marvel Studios, which is owned by Disney, that Black Widow would be an exclusively "theatrical release", and that her salary was based on the box-office performance of the movie.

Johansson, the lead of the spy thriller, has sued Disney, which owns Marvel Studios, for breaching her contract by simultaneously releasing the movie in theatres as well as the streaming platform in America and a few other countries. As per The Wall Street Journal report, the lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, accusing that the company intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without any justification. It states that this was done in order to prevent Johansson from realising the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.

Meanwhile, the Walt Disney Company slammed the actor's breach of contract lawsuit for showing “callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic”, Variety reported. According to reports, the superhero film set a pandemic-era box office record when it came out this month, earning $218m on its first weekend. But then it fell sharply and Johansson argued that she was deprived of potential earnings.

About Black Widow

Black Widow is focused on your favourite badass spy character, Natasha Romanoff, as she appeared in her solo movie, one last time.

Johansson plays the lead role, a Russian spy who eventually turned an Avenger. This is the first standalone film where Natasha Romanoff confronts her dark past. This is also Johansson’s last film as the spy character. More here.

Fans around the globe had been going gaga over Black Widow when it was released earlier this month. On its first weekend, the film took sround $80m in ticket sales in North America and $78m internationally, plus at least $60m in Disney+ Premier Access rentals. Sources close to the actor claimed that Johansson lost $50m, media reports say.

Johansson who endorses equal pay in the industry reportedly got paid $15 million for the film, same as what Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth each earned for playing Captain America and Thor, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Meanwhile, the Oscar-nominated actor is expecting her first child with husband Colin Jost, Page Six reported.

Watch the trailer of Black Widow here: