In a surprising move, Scarlett Johansson has sued Disney, claiming that her contract was breached when the company simultaneously released Black Widow on its streaming service and in theaters.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the star argues that "her agreement with Disney’s Marvel Entertainment guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release, and her salary was based in large part on the box-office performance of the film."
The suit said, “Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.”
Sources say the decision to put Black Widow on Disney Plus likely cost ScarJo more than $50 million.
In a statement, Disney fired back, saying there was “no merit” to her suit, and that it “is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The company added that it has fully complied with her contract and that the release of Black Widow on Disney Plus "significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20 million she has received to date.”