Scarlett Johansson has had beneficial cooperation with Disney through the latter’s associate Marvel Studios. She played Black Widow six times before returning to the role, probably for the last time, her selfsame titled standalone movie directed by Cate Shortland.
However, not long after the film was released in North America and several other most markets on July 9, the Wall Street Journal noted that she has charged the House of Mouse for the movie’s hybrid release.
Here is a timeline of everything that has occurred in this full incident so far:
1. July 29
Scarlett Johansson classified a lawsuit against Disney for alleging that the movie’s hybrid release in theatres and on Disney+ violation of the terms of her agreement with the studio, robbing her of bonuses up to $50 million. Most movies before the pandemic planned for theatres released on streaming platforms after a certain time. After the pandemic that disrupted the theatrical industry, the big studios like Warner Bros and Disney altered tack.
The lawsuit declared, “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without justification, to prevent Ms Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.”
2. July 29
Disney’s reaction was shockingly fast and aggressive. On the same day, it published a statement declaring Johansson’s lawsuit has “no merit whatsoever. It continued, “The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The statement also disclosed Scarlett’s base salary for the movie: $20 million.
3. July 30
Scarlett Johansson’s envoy, Bryan Lourd of Creative Arts Agency (CAA), banged Disney’s response. He charged Disney in a statement of attacking the actress’s character and of uncovering her $20 million salary for the superhero film “in an attempt to weaponise her success as an artist and a businesswoman.”
On that day, reports came out alleging that Kevin Feige, the boss of Marvel Studios is “angry and embarrassed” by the whole event, though there was no official message.
4. August 2
Executive chairman and retired CEO of Disney Bob Iger was noted by TheWrap to be “mortified” by the new improvements.
5. August 21
Scarlett, through her lawyer, called out Disney for its “misogynistic attack”. The statement also said that currently, the studio is attempting to “hide its misconduct in a confidential arbitration.”
“Why is Disney so afraid of litigating this case in public?” asked John Berlinski. “Because it knows that Marvel’s promises to give Black Widow a typical theatrical release ‘like its other films’ had everything to do with guaranteeing that Disney wouldn’t cannibalize box office receipts to boost Disney+ subscriptions. Yet that is exactly what happened – and we look forward to presenting the overwhelming evidence that proves it,” the statement continued.
In India, Black Widow will release on September 3.