Scarlett Johansson is in a legal dispute with Disney and Marvel over her compensation for starring in Black Widow. Her contract promised a share of the film’s earnings from theatrical releases. However, due to the movie being available on Disney+ through Premier Access, not all viewers contributed to the box office numbers, potentially causing Johansson to lose out on significant earnings.
Johansson alleges that Disney knowingly diverted viewership from theaters to its streaming platform, leading to financial benefits for Marvel and Disney while depriving her of rightful compensation. This move prompted Johansson to take the rare step of suing the entertainment giant.
Disney’s response to the lawsuit was swift, dismissing the claims as baseless. A spokesperson emphasized that the company acted within the terms of Johansson’s contract and highlighted the enhanced earning potential for her through the simultaneous release of Black Widow on Disney+ alongside theaters, on top of the $20 million she has already received.