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Scarlett Johansson and Disney have settled ‘Black Widow’ dispute

By George Costantino Oct 1, 2021 | 7:42 AM


Marvel Studios

Scarlett Johansson‘s Periwinkle Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company have settled their dispute  regarding the release of Black Widow.

Johansson filed suit last month against Marvel Studios’ parent company, Disney, claiming that the studio’s decision to simultaneously release Black Widow on Disney+ and in theaters was a breach of her contract, which guaranteed Black Widow an exclusive theatrical window before it hit the streaming service. The suit further claims Disney’s decision to do otherwise cost Johansson millions in potential earnings.

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

Alan Bergman, Chairman of Disney Studios Content, added, “I’m very pleased that we have been able to come to a mutual agreement with Scarlett Johansson regarding Black Widow. We appreciate her contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and look forward to working together on a number of upcoming projects, including Disney’s Tower of Terror.”

Neither side gave any indication of how much money was involved in the settlement.

ScarJo served as an executive producer on Black Widow, and therefore had profit participation “points” tied to the film’s box-office performance.  The movie grossed $367 million at the box office. However, Disney revealed in August that the movie had grossed $125 million on streaming, which some assert detracted from the film’s box-office earnings potential, and Johansson’s bottom line.

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