Scarlett Johansson’s Lawsuit Against Disney Is Not Limited To Herself. Here’s Why
Scarlett Johansson has taken a big step when it comes to the entertainment industry this week. The Black Widow star made headlines when the news reported that she will be filing a lawsuit against Disney for breach of contract.
We did not see it coming when the announcement of the lawsuit came out. Actor Johansson has been tied to Marvel and Disney for over ten years as she played Natasha Romanoff. However, the actor has decided to file a lawsuit against the parent company just weeks after the official global release of the standalone Black Widow film.
Scarlett Johansson’s Lawsuit Against Disney
On July 29, the star filed a lawsuit against Disney under the claim that Disney has breached the contract signed between the two. This also has to do with Disney immediately releasing Black Widow on their streaming platform the same day it was released in theatres.
As a result of this, Black Widow suffered the worst ever known “collapse” in Box Offices in MCU history. Johansson’s attorney claimed that this also directly affected the actor and her income with the film.
Apart from this, Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit against Disney is actually a huge step when it comes to the entertainment business. Going up against a big company like Disney surely is something that most stars dread. Therefore, this battle initiated by Johansson and her legal team could potentially turn into a life-changing one, not just for herself but for many other stars.
Must Read: How Much Did Scarlett Johansson Lose From Black Widow Streams On Disney+?
The lawsuit is clearly not limited to the actor or just Disney. It opens grounds for debate when it comes to theatrical releases and streaming releases. Many established filmmakers have previously expressed that theatres are now slowly dying due to the rise of streaming platforms.
Johansson’s Influence
After news of Johansson’s lawsuit made its rounds, actor Emma Stone is also reported to be thinking about doing the same. Just like the Black Widow actor, Emma Stone’s Cruella was praised by critics and fans but did not achieve much when it comes to the Box Office. This was also attributed to Cruella being released immediately on the Disney+ platform.
Johansson’s legal complaint stated: “Why would Disney forgo hundreds of millions of dollars in box office receipts by releasing the Picture in theaters at a time when it knew the theatrical market was ‘weak,’ rather than waiting a few months for that market to recover?”
In light of the situation, former THR Editor Matt Belloni also wrote that Disney is “notoriously difficult to deal with” in these circumstances. He mentioned that many stars and artists have been waiting for someone in the spotlight to speak out for years now. Belloni also wrote that Johansson has received overwhelming support from her fellow artists.
