Scarlett Johansson was all smiles on the set of Wes Anderson’s new film, “Asteroid City,” after resolving her legal dispute with Disney over the release of “Black Widow.”
The 36-year-old actress sued Disney earlier this year, claiming that the company breached her contract by releasing “Black Widow” on Disney Plus alongside its theatrical debut rather than granting it an exclusive run in cinemas.
The legal battle ended with an undisclosed settlement, allowing Johansson to focus on her latest project, featuring notable actors like Adrien Brody, Bryan Cranston, and Jeff Goldblum.
The cast was recently photographed working on the film in Madrid, Spain, following Bill Murray’s unintentional leak of the film’s title at the London Film Festival.
Johansson announced the lawsuit settlement in a public statement, expressing her satisfaction with the resolution: “I am happy to have resolved our differences. I’m incredibly proud of our work together over the years and have greatly enjoyed my creative relationship with the team. I look forward to continuing our collaboration in years to come.”
Alan Bergman, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, also commented on the settlement, emphasizing Disney’s positive relationship with Johansson: “We appreciate her contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and look forward to working together on several upcoming projects, including Disney’s Tower of Terror.”
Though the settlement terms were not disclosed, the dispute revolved around the hybrid release strategy Disney employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which involved releasing “Black Widow” in theaters and on Disney Plus simultaneously.
The film’s box office success, earning more than $378 million globally, was partially driven by Disney’s streaming platform.
Johansson’s contract as an actress and producer was tied to box office performance, leading to the lawsuit when Disney opted for the hybrid model.
During the lawsuit, Disney initially released a statement that appeared critical of Johansson’s lawsuit, implying that it disregarded the impact of the pandemic.
In response, Johansson’s lawyer accused Disney of misogyny and attempted to hide its misconduct through confidential arbitration. However, the settlement suggests that both parties have put their differences behind them.
Johansson recently became a mother for the second time outside of work, welcoming a child with her husband, Colin Jost. She also has a six-year-old daughter, Rose, from her previous marriage to Romain Dauriac.
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