Disney is being sued by Scarlett Johansson for breach of contract after it streamed her longest-waited Black Widow film simultaneously with its debut in theaters.
The film smashed the box office record for the Covid-19 pandemic during its first weekend, earning $218 million (£157 million). However, box office sales plummeted, and Ms. Johansson claims she was denied possible rewards.
Disney responded by claiming that the star actress had “fully complied” with her contract and that her claim had “no merit whatsoever.”
Marvel Studios, which is controlled by Disney, assured Ms Johansson that Black Widow will have a “theatrical release,” according to Ms. Johansson.
She took this to indicate that a “window” of time would pass before the movie would appear on the streaming platform which she stated had usually been 90 days.
Black Widow grossed $80 million in North America and $78 million overseas in its opening weekend, plus at least $60 million in Disney+ Premier Access rentals.
According to media reports, sources close to the star, whose income was contingent on the film’s box office success, she lost $50 million.
Disney retorted to Scarlett’s assertions saying the dual release plan had “significantly enhanced [Johansson’s] ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20m she has received to date.”
The media giant also claimed that Johansson’s legal action was “especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Prior to the global health crisis, moviegoers in Hollywood had to either go to the theater to see new movies or wait three months to gain streaming access or on Blu-Ray.
As cinemas fight to win back audiences fearful of contracting the virus in tight settings, major studios have recently started combining movie releases in theaters with streaming.
However, some of Hollywood’s biggest names, such as director Christopher Nolan have publicly criticized the approach.
Last year, the British director slammed Warner Bros. for its intentions to distribute blockbuster films on HBO Max, calling the move “a real bait and switch”.
Nolan said to the Hollywood Reporter: “Warner Bros had an incredible machine for getting a film-maker’s work out everywhere, both in theatres and in the home, and they are dismantling it as we speak.
“Their decision makes no economic sense and even the most casual Wall Street investor can see the difference between disruption and dysfunction.”
Speaking of the lawsuit, Matt Mueller of Screen Daily expressed his dismay over the situation getting thus far, as he expected the dispute to be handled privately.
Matt said to BBC News: “It’s surprising that Disney let it get to this stage, given Warner Bros was able to negotiate with the talent that it irked when it made the decision to go day-and-date between cinemas and HBO Max for its 2021 titles.
Adding: “I think other stars will look at how Scarlett’s case proceeds, while studios with complementary streaming platforms will already be looking at what contractual steps they need to take to ward off further actions.”
However, Mueller believes the media giant will retain its decision to proceed with dual releases, whatever the outcome of the lawsuit may be.
“Disney’s ultimate boss is its shareholders and they want Disney+ to be hugely successful,” he continued.
“But it might make the top talent think twice if they don’t think they can score the mega-paydays that theatrical releases have been able to generate for stars in the past.”
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With £1m what would you do: I would do my part to provide opportunities to the less fortunate. Then do my best to change the world in my own way through sports and talent building.
