Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Co over the streaming release of Black Widow, which she said breached her contract and deprived her of potential earnings.
Scarlett Johansson is suing the Walt Disney Co over its streaming release of which she said breached her contract and deprived her of potential earnings.
Why did Scarlett Johansson file the lawsuit?
- 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.”
What is Disney's response to the lawsuit?
- Disney said the lawsuit has “no merit whatsoever.”
Black Widow theatrical release and criticism from National Association of Theater Owners
Why has hybrid release come to be the preferred model for most studios?
- Once taboo, hybrid theatrical and streaming releases have become more normal for many of the biggest studios during the pandemic, with each adopting its own unique strategy.
- This weekend, Disney is employing the same strategy with Jungle Cruise, and next weekend Warner Bros. big-budget The Suicide Squad opens both in theatres and on HBO Max.
Why does the model face occasional backlash from filmmakers, artists and producers?
(With inputs from The Associated Press)
