Disney to ‘Black Widow’ Star Scarlett Johansson: $20 Million

Disney is blasting Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit over the field workplace of “Black Widow,” saying that the lawsuit has “no merit whatsoever” and that she already acquired $20 million in compensation.

The actress is alleging breach of contract within the lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court and reviewed by TheWrap, through which she’s suing Disney over the corporate’s choice to launch “Black Widow” on Disney+ similtaneously the movie’s theatrical launch.

“There is no merit whatsoever to this filing. The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and furthermore, the release of ‘Black Widow’ on Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date,” a Walt Disney Company spokesperson stated.

John Berlinski, Johansson’s legal professional, stated in an announcement to TheWrap earlier Thursday: “It’s no secret that Disney is releasing films like ‘Black Widow’ directly onto Disney+ to increase subscribers and thereby boost the company’s stock price – and that it’s hiding behind COVID-19 as a pretext to do so. But ignoring the contracts of the artists responsible for the success of its films in furtherance of this short-sighted strategy violates their rights and we look forward to proving as much in court. This will surely not be the last case where Hollywood talent stands up to Disney and makes it clear that, whatever the company may pretend, it has a legal obligation to honor its contracts.”

“Black Widow” has grossed $157 million up to now on the field workplace. Disney additionally reported a world complete of $60 million in paid streaming gross sales on its opening weekend.

Coming up on Disney’s slate is “Jungle Cruise” opening Friday, which can also be being launched in theaters and thru Disney+ as a Premier Access title. Other movies which have adopted this mannequin included “Mulan,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Cruella.”

Johansson is searching for each punitive and financial damages, in addition to a trial by jury.