Walt Disney reported in a court filing this past Friday that it has received $125 million in online revenue from the Marvel superhero film “Black Widow.” -three weeks after getting sued by its star Scarlett Johansson. The actress filed suit against Disney for reduced compensation and not receiving the extra income from her base $20 million dollar pay.
Johansson’s claim is that Disney released the long-delayed movie by its Premier Access service on Disney+ at the same time as its theatrical window. Marvel claimed that Johansson’s contract stipulated her compensation would be tied Black Widow’s box office performance but was decreased die to fans choosing to watch it at home instead.
Deadline.com reported- “After initially responding to this litigation with a misogynistic attack against Scarlett Johansson, Disney is now, predictably, trying to hide its misconduct in a confidential arbitration,” said the Oscar nominee’s main lawyer John Berlinski today after the House of Mouse’s response to Johansson’s scathing profits lawsuit went public.
Celebrity actress Scarlett Johansson is suing for breach of contract when the movie Black Widow simultaneously streaming online at the same time is plays in theaters.
Disney has countered Johansson’s request for a civil trial to be held in Los Angeles and is asking for the trial to be heard and sent to a confidential, binding arbitration in New York. That means the issue goes behind closed doors and not on public display.
The entertainment company, in the filing, has countered Johansson’s request for a civil trial in Los Angeles by asking for the suit to be sent to arbitration in New York.
The trial could set a precedence in the entertainment industry as more movie companies are streaming films online and in theatres at the same time to gain as many subscribers as possible with premium packages for increased revenue.
The film grossed over $367 million in worldwide box-office receipts and more than $125 million in streaming and download retail receipts since August 15th, 2021.
