Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney Over Black Widow Release

Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney Over 'Black Widow' Release

Update: Disney has responded to the legal action with the following statement.

Following the apparent conclusion of Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of an Avenger, the actress who played “Black Widow” has initiated a breach of contract lawsuit against Disney, the parent company of Marvel. The legal complaint, lodged in Los Angeles Superior Court this week, asserts that the studio violated its contractual obligations with the performer by simultaneously debuting the film in theaters and on Disney+.

The Core of the Dispute

The lawsuit clearly defines a “theatrical release” as one exclusively shown in cinemas. The filing states that Disney was fully aware of this understanding. Despite this, Marvel was allegedly directed to contravene its commitment and instead make the film available on the Disney+ streaming platform on the same day as its cinematic premiere.

The method of delivering and experiencing first-run films has undergone a significant shift due to the pandemic – at least in the immediate future. In 2020, Disney and other major studios chose to release films directly to streaming platforms. This decision aimed to avoid ongoing postponements and diminished box office revenue resulting from restrictions on non-essential businesses like movie theaters.

Pre-Pandemic Concerns

Johansson’s apprehensions regarding streaming services existed prior to the onset of the pandemic. According to the lawsuit, when Disney launched Disney+, the actress’s representatives actively sought assurances from Disney/Marvel. These assurances concerned a traditional theatrical release for the “Black Widow” standalone film, despite the company’s efforts to increase subscriber numbers.

The suit references an email exchange with Marvel’s chief counsel from May of the previous year.

Allegations of Prioritizing Profits

John Berlinski, Johansson’s attorney, stated to TechCrunch that Disney is leveraging films like “Black Widow” for direct release on Disney+ to attract subscribers and subsequently inflate the company’s stock value. He further contends that the studio is using COVID-19 as a justification for this practice.

Berlinski asserts that disregarding the contracts of the artists who contribute to the success of its films, in pursuit of this short-term strategy, infringes upon their rights. He anticipates a favorable outcome in court and suggests this may not be the only instance of Hollywood talent challenging Disney’s actions.

Potential Implications

The statement levels accusations against Disney of “hiding behind COVID-19,” although it acknowledges that the studio was not alone in reassessing its release strategy during the past year. A key question is whether the pandemic will be considered a valid mitigating factor in the studio’s release choices.

The resolution of this case could significantly influence how studios distribute blockbuster films in the post-pandemic era.

Disney has been contacted for a response, and this article will be updated as more information becomes available.