Disney’s Response To Scarlett Johansson’s Lawsuit: “No Merit”
Disney has finally made a response regarding Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit. On July 29, the Black Widow actor filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company because of a breach in their contract. This has called attention to Disney’s certain actions when it comes to Black Widow and has raised multiple questions.
Starring as Natasha Romanoff in the movie, Scarlett Johansson finally has her first standalone Marvel project in the MCU. However, after the official release of the movie, Johansson has decided to sue the Walt Disney Company for their misconduct in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Johansson’s legal team alleged that this action was taken because Disney ignored “the contracts of the artists responsible for the success of its films.” Johansson’s attorney also questioned Disney’s actions when it comes to releasing Black Widow immediately on a streaming platform.
Scarlett Johansson’s Lawsuit VS Disney’s Version
Disney has officially responded to Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit. According to Variety, Disney claimed that there was “no merit whatsoever to this filing.”
The company’s statement quoted by Variety stated, “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.”
Further, Disney also said that they have not breached the contract. They also talked about additional compensation. “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,” they stated.
The Lawsuit Controversy
It is notable that Black Widow experienced the worst “collapse” in MCU history. In its second week, the film had the hugest fall and decrements in its profits. This collapse has largely been attributed to Disney’s action of releasing the movie directly on their streaming platform, Disney+.
Must Read: Scarlett Johansson And Disney On Black Widow Controversy: All You Need To Know
“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?” Johansson’s legal complaint stated.
