Disney Sued By Scarlett Johansson For Streaming ‘Black Widow’ On Disney+
Image via Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
The star of the latest Marvel movie Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson, has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against Disney this week.
The lawsuit alleges that Johansson’s contract was breached when Disney released the film on its Disney+ streaming service at the same time as it debuted in cinemas.
The Hollywood star said her agreement with Disney’s Marvel Entertainment was for an exclusive theatrical release, with her profits from the film based in large part on its performance at the box office.
“Disney was well aware of this promise, but nonetheless directed Marvel to violate its pledge and instead release the picture on the Disney+ streaming service the same day it was released in movie theaters,” the lawsuit said.
The media giant has responded to the allegations, saying “there is no merit whatsoever to this filing,” and that the lawsuit is “especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” as per CNN.
As streaming becomes increasingly popular, fueled in part by last year’s pandemic lockdowns, this lawsuit could set a precedent in the battle of online streaming versus the box office. We’ll just have to wait and see how this one ends.
[via CNN, cover image via Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution]
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