Disney Settles Scarlett Johansson’s Breach of Contract Lawsuit Over ‘Black Widow’ Streaming

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Johansson Black Widow Streaming Lawsuit Overview: 

• Who: Actress Scarlett Johansson reportedly settled a breach of contract lawsuit she filed against the Walt Disney Co. 
• Why: Johansson alleged Disney’s decision to immediately release “Black Widow” on its streaming service rather than allow for an exclusive theatrical run violated her contract and significantly decreased her earnings on the film. 
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

The Walt Disney Co and Scarlett Johansson have reportedly settled the actress’s lawsuit claiming breach of contract for the release of “Black Widow” to streaming subscribers the same day it was released to theaters.

“I am happy to have resolved our differences with Disney,” Johansson said in a statement, according to Law360. “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done together over the years and have greatly enjoyed my creative relationship with the team. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in years to come.”

Disney Studios Content Chair Alan Bergman said he was pleased the parties were able to come to a “mutual agreement.” 

“We appreciate her contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and look forward to working together on a number of upcoming projects,” Bergman said in a release.

Disney’s Black Widow Streaming Decision Cost Actress 

Johansson’s lawsuit alleged that releasing the movie simultaneously on both Disney+ Premier Access and in theaters affected the film’s box office performance, as well as her compensation, which included a cut of the film’s box office receipts.

The actress, who appeared in supporting roles as Black Widow and now headlined her own film, said she was given assurances both in her 2017 agreement and after Disney launched its streaming service in 2019 that “Black Widow” would receive a wide theatrical release.

“As Ms. Johansson, Disney, Marvel and most everyone else in Hollywood knows, a ‘theatrical release’ is a release that is exclusive to movie theaters,” the suit states. “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 very same day it was released in movie theaters.”

Johansson said she gave Disney and Marvel “every opportunity to right their wrong,” claiming Disney chose to release the film on its streaming platform so that it could keep the film’s revenues for itself, grow the subscriber base of Disney+ and boost Disney’s stock price.

The entertainment giant is facing legal action on other fronts, including 25,000 Disney employees who claim they are not paid a living wage, as well as Disney annual pass holders seeking refunds after COVID-19 closures. 

Did you watch Black Widow on Disney’s streaming service? What do you think the company should have done? Tell us in the comment section below!

Johansson is represented by John V. Berlinski, Daniel A. Saunders, and Kimberly A. Meyer of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. 

The Black Widow Streaming Lawsuit is Periwinkle Entertainment Inc. et al. v. The Walt Disney Co., Case No. 21STCV27831, in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles.

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