Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson and Disney are still arguing about the unsettled change surrounding the release of Black Widow. According to the contract, the MCU film should be shown exclusively in the cinema. However, Black Widow was launched at the same time on Disney + via VIP access for all subscribers. Scarlett Johansson is said to have lost US $ 50 million.Now the actress and her lawyer have made another statement on the case after Disney wanted to initiate arbitration to settle the matter to the exclusion of the To clarify public. The statement reads: "Why is Disney so afraid of going public with the trial? Because they know that Marvel's promise to give Black Widow a typical theatrical release 'like all other films' - had to do with the fact that Disney wouldn't cannibalize the box office results just to boost Disney + subscribers, but that's exactly what happened. " - says attorney John Berlinski about the case.
Black Widow started in cinemas at the beginning of July. The film achieved around 369.8 million US dollars worldwide. A few days after the release, Disney also announced that it had raised an additional $ 125 million via the streaming platform's VIP access. On September 2, 2021, the next film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It has already been confirmed that the film will only be released in theaters at the start. At Disney +, Shang-Chi should be available 45 days later.
Source: Deadline
'Black Widow' helps Disney collect $125 million in online revenue
Scarlett Johansson poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo
Aug 22 (Reuters) - Walt Disney (DIS.N) said in a court filing on Friday that it has garnered $125 million in online revenue from the Marvel superhero film 'Black Widow', three weeks after getting sued by its star Scarlett Johansson.
The actress last month sued Disney alleging that the company breached her contract when it offered the movie on streaming at the same time it played in theaters. read more
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.
Johansson's suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, argued that the dual release strategy of 'Black Widow' had reduced her compensation. read more
Disney had said there was 'no merit' to the lawsuit, adding that online release of the film 'significantly enhanced her (Johansson's) ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20 million she has received to date.” read more
The outcome of the suit could have wider ramifications in the entertainment industry as media companies try to build their streaming services by offering premium programming to attract subscribers. read more
Reporting by Vishal Vivek and Ken Li, Editing by Nick Zieminski
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