Scarlett Johansson Goes to Court Over Disney’s “Dual‑Release” Move for “Black Widow”
In a move that’s got Hollywood buzzing, Scarlett Johansson—yes, that star of Black Widow and basically every Marvel film you can think of—has filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Co. She claims the company broke her contract by slashing the movie’s theatrical monopoly and hitting the stream‑first jackpot.
What’s the Deal?
Jo‑Jo (the nickname friends use in the hallway—no, not the twisty‑talking wraith) says the dual release strategy dragged her earnings down because her compensation was partly tied to box‑office receipts from an “exclusive cinema run.” That’s a classic bombshell given Disney’s newer “stream‑and‑theater” playbook that was born in the pandemic era, when screens were closed and streaming was the new frontier.
Key Dates & Numbers
- July 9 – Black Widow opens in traditional theaters and also goes live on Disney+ for a $30 buy‑in.
- First‑week earnings – $80M from US/Canadian box office + an extra $60M made through Disney+ purchases.
- Contract haul so far – Johansson has pulled in $20M (S$27M) from the movie; she’s now demanding more.
Jo‑Jo’s Accusations
The lawsuit boils down to a couple of central arguments:
- Disney’s aim was to divert audiences to Disney+ where it could keep the profits and grow its subscriber base—sounds like a smart revenue strategy, but maybe not fair to the actress.
- The company allegedly tried to “devalue” her agreement, effectively enriching itself at her expense.
The suit says the director’s reps reached out to Disney for a resolution but got the cold shoulder. The fight is still on, and the damages will be decided in court.
Disney’s Reply
Disney swore back, saying the move was legitimate and that it had kept the contract intact. It also blasted the lawsuit as “especially sad and distressing,” highlighting how Covid-19 reshaped the industry.
The company added that offering the movie on its streaming platform “significantly enhanced” Johansson’s ability to earn more collectors than the $20M she’s received so far.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a Hollywood fling. If Disney’s dual release tactics face legal snow‑balling, studios might rethink how they can launch films on both screens and streams without jeopardizing actors’ contracts.
Fun Facts & Side Notes
- Scarlett is no stranger to the spotlight—she topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest‑paid actresses in 2018 and 2019.
- Her “Black Widow” character has been in nine Marvel blockbusters.
- Other studios, like Warner Bros. (backed by AT&T), have also negotiated payment deals with actors amid the pandemic’s hybrid release frenzy.
- Disney isn’t stopping—next up is a same‑day streaming release for Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
In short, Scarlett Johansson is currently saying, “You may have Netflix me-up, but you can’t buy my pay.” The court will soon decide if Disney’s strategy was a legal freeze‑frame or a needle‑point infringement.
