- LAST MINUTE: Disney responds to the famous actress
- They accuse her of being “cruel” and “indifferent” to the pandemic
- Scandal surrounds latest Marvel movie
Scarlett Johansson sues Disney and the company responds. The famous actress sued the Walt Disney Co. for her streaming launch of “Black Widow,” arguing that it violated her contract and deprived her of potential earnings, AP notes.
In a lawsuit filed Thursday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, the “Black Widow” star and executive producer said her contract guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the news.
Scarlett Johansson sues Disney, sparks scandal
Scarlett Johansson‘s potential earnings were tied to the film’s box office performance, which the company released simultaneously in theaters and its streaming service Disney +, where it can be rented for $ 30, the AP reports.
“In the months leading up to this lawsuit, Ms. Johansson gave Disney and Marvel every opportunity to make amends for their mistake and fulfill Marvel’s promise,” the lawsuit says. “Disney intentionally induced Marvel to breach the Agreement, without justification, to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefits of her deal with Marvel.”
Scarlett Johansson sues Disney and they attack her
Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but issued a statement attacking the famous actress, calling her “cruel” and “indifferent.” After its premiere was delayed more than a year due to COVID-19, “Black Widow” grossed a pandemic record of $ 80 million at the box office.
Plus $ 78 million overseas when it debuted three weeks ago, but gross theaters dropped dramatically after that, AP notes. On its second weekend, the National Association of Theater Owners issued a rare statement criticizing the strategy.
Will the famous actress have losses?
The association claimed that the simultaneous release only lent itself to losses and higher-quality piracy. Hybrid releases in cinemas and streaming services, once taboo, have become more common during the pandemic, when each of the major studios adopted their own strategy.
This weekend, Disney will do the same with “Jungle Cruise,” and next weekend Warner Bros. big-budget film “The Suicide Squad” will premiere in both theaters and on HBO. Max, reveals AP.
Many celebrities are not happy about what the big companies are doing
Hybrid launch strategies reviewed over the past 16 months have led to occasional public squabbles not only from theater owners, but also from actors, filmmakers, and financiers who are unhappy with the potential loss of revenue and alleged one-sided decision-making. involved.
The WSJ said Warner Media, for example, paid more than $ 200 million in “modified deals” with talents over its decision to release its entire 2021 movie lineup simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. But no dispute has been as public as Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit.
Scarlett Johansson said there was “a promise” from Marvel
The actress, who has worked on nine Marvel movies since 2010’s “Iron Man 2,” quickly became a trend on Twitter Thursday after news of the lawsuit broke. Johansson, who has filed the lawsuit in a Los Angeles court, has indicated that the agreement he reached with Disney for the filming of “Black Widow” guaranteed an exclusively theatrical release.
He also said his salary was based in large part on the movie’s box office profits. The actress and producer of “Black Widow” points out that there was “a promise” from Marvel that the film would have an exclusive release in theaters, says Efe.
“Disney Willfully Induced Marvel’s Breach of Contract”
“Disney was well aware of this promise, but still instructed Marvel to violate their promise and instead release the film on Disney + the same day it hit theaters,” the lawsuit states. “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of contract, without justification, in order to prevent Johansson from obtaining the full benefits of his Marvel deal,” the complaint adds.
“Black Widow” is the first film that Marvel has released since the pandemic began and it is the film with which Johansson says goodbye to his character Natasha after more than a decade playing her in this popular superhero saga, says Efe.
Johansson ‘could make history’
Directed by Cate Shortland and with Florence Pugh accompanying Scarlett Johansson, “Black Widow” was a success at its premiere. Disney + subscribers had to pay an extra $ 30 to see “Black Widow,” says Efe.
This demand for Johansson could set a trend in the entertainment world at a time when the main companies in the sector are turning to streaming services with the aim of achieving greater growth.
The new techniques of large companies
This movement implies important changes for the actors and producers, who for their part want to ensure that the development of digital platforms does not occur at their expense, says Efe. “This surely will not be the last case where Hollywood artists take on Disney and make it clear that whatever the company intends to do, it has a legal obligation to fulfill its contracts,” John told the Wall Street Journal. Berlinski, one of Johansson’s attorneys.
Disney began releasing its films on Disney + and in theaters concurrent with the pandemic when theaters were closed or had limited capacity. This weekend he will present in theaters and on the platform at the same time another of his great bets for this summer.
Disney criticizes Scarlett Johansson
Disney criticized this Thursday the complaint that Scarlett Johansson filed against her for the simultaneous premiere in cinemas and “streaming” of “Black Widow” (2021) and accused the actress of ignoring the exceptional context of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement collected by the US media, Disney assured that this lawsuit for breach of contract has “no basis.” “This complaint is especially sad and distressing in its cruel indifference to the horrible, prolonged and global effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said according to Efe.
They accuse her of “cruel indifference”
“Disney has fully honored the Johansson contract. What’s more, the premiere of ‘Black Widow’ on Disney + with premium access has significantly expanded his ability to earn additional compensation in excess of the $ 20 million he has received to date, “he added.
Disney began releasing its films on Disney + and in theaters concurrent with the pandemic when theaters were closed or had limited capacity. “Jungle Cruise” with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt as stars, will be the next Disney releases.