Scarlett Johansson and The Walt Disney Company have reached an agreement and will settle the lawsuit sooner than previously predicted. The Hollywood actress had filed claim against Disney for breach of contract back in July when her stand-alone superhero movie Black Widow was released on the streaming service Disney+ as well as in movie theaters. After that a judge even recusing himself from the case. After it all they have come to a settlement.The exact terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.
According to Variety, Ms. Johansson said in an official statement on Thursday: “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 I have greatly enjoyed my creative relationship with the team. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in years to come.”
Disney Studios Content chairman Alan Berman replied with a statement in a similar amicable tone saying that they (Disney) are also pleased to have resolved the matter. “I’m very pleased that we have been able to come to a mutual agreement with Scarlett Johansson regarding Black Widow. We appreciate her contribution to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and look forward to working together on a number of upcoming projects, including Disney’s Tower of Terror.”
The temper between the two parties had not been this neighborly only a few months ago when the Hollywood star first filed the lawsuit against Disney, SAG-AFTRA even weighing in. Ms. Johansson’s suit against the movie goliath claimed that she was stripped from any potential bonus that the movie could have generated had it been released exclusively in movie theaters. The added bonus clause for movie ticket sales was an essential part of her contract with the company. In a surprisingly aggressive move, Disney answered with a public announcement accusing the actress of “callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Shots were fired back by CAA co-chairman Bryan Lourd stated that “Disney’s direct attack on her character and all else they implied is beneath the company that many of us in the creative community have worked with successfully for decades.”
It seems that a long battle in the courthouse has been avoided when cooler heads prevailed. Johansson had requested a $50 million payout from Disney. However, the definite sum of the settlement has been left unpublished, as is often the case in these sorts of arrangements.
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat
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