Scarlett Johansson takes on Disney for breaching her contract with the streaming release of Black Widow, sparking a legal battle over fair compensation in the pandemic-altered movie industry.

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost

As Scarlett Johansson, the iconic starlet, set her sights on the glitzy premiere of Black Widow, little did she anticipate the whirlwind of controversy that would ensue. The buzz surrounding her character’s standalone venture was palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating Johansson’s return to the big screen. Yet, the release of the movie was marred by a legal showdown as Johansson took Disney to task for its streaming release strategy.

Scarlett Johansson

In a bold move that sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Disney opted for a simultaneous release of Black Widow in theaters and on its streaming platform, Disney+. While the initial box office numbers soared, they soon plummeted, raising eyebrows and ire alike. Scarlett Johansson, in a move that captured headlines, filed a lawsuit against the entertainment giant, citing breach of contract and loss of potential earnings.

Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story (2019)

In a statement that reverberated across Tinseltown, Scarlett Johansson’s legal team argued vehemently for her rights, emphasizing the significance of an exclusive theatrical release as stipulated in her contract. “My agreement with Disney’s Marvel Entertainment guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release,” Johansson asserted, highlighting the foundation of her legal battle. Disney’s response, however, was swift and steadfast, dismissing the lawsuit as baseless and upholding their actions as compliant with contractual obligations.