Scarlett Johansson’s reps are angry that you are about to read she was paid $20 million for her work in “Black Widow.”
In an epic battle shaping up between the Marvel superstar and a Hollywood superstudio, Johansson’s talent agency slammed The Walt Disney Co. for “shamelessly” attacking her in response to her gripe that the superhero flick “Black Widow” shouldn’t have been released simultaneously in theaters and on the Disney+ streaming service.
Disney disclosed the $20 million salary in a news release issued in response to the lawsuit.
“Scarlett has been Disney’s partner on nine movies, which have earned Disney and its shareholders billions,” said Bryan Lourd, co-chairman of Creative Artists Agency, which represents many Hollywood stars.
“The company included her salary in their press statement in an attempt to weaponize her success as an artist and businesswoman, as if that were something she should be ashamed of,” Lourd said.
Lourd also complained of other accusations he says Disney unfairly leveled at the star.
“They have shamelessly and falsely accused Ms. Johansson of being insensitive to the global COVID pandemic, in an attempt to make her appear to be someone they and I know she isn’t,” said Lourd.
“Scarlett is extremely proud of the work that she, and all of the actors, writers, directors, producers, and the Marvel creative team have been a part of for well over a decade,” Lourd added.
The Academy Award-nominated actress on Thursday stunned the entertainment world by filing a lawsuit against Disney’s decision to simultaneously release “Black Widow” on Disney+ and in theaters.
“Disney wanted to substantially devalue Ms. Johansson’s agreement and thereby enrich itself,” said the 18-page court complaint.
Disney responded by saying that Johansson’s lawsuit had no merit, and was “especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The pandemic has upended the movie theater business — leading Disney and other distributors to seek new ways to get their work in front of audiences.
Lourd said Johansson’s lawsuit was filed “as a result of Disney’s decision to knowingly violate” the actress’ contract.
“They have very deliberately moved the revenue stream and profits to the Disney+ side of the company, leaving artistic and financial partners out of their new equation. That’s it, pure and simple,” he said.
“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,” Lourd added.
