Scarlett Johansson, known for her captivating performances as Black Widow, made headlines when she took on the entertainment powerhouse Disney in a groundbreaking lawsuit. 

Following the release of her Marvel film Black Widow, Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging a breach of contract regarding the simultaneous release of the movie on Disney+ and in theaters, which affected her pay drastically.

The actress and her team had spent months negotiating with the studio to ensure proper compensation for the backend profits she would miss out on due to the unconventional release strategy during the ongoing pandemic. Disney’s response to the lawsuit was met with shock and disappointment from Johansson. The studio issued a statement that not only criticized her but also disclosed her upfront salary of $20 million, which had been kept confidential.
Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson On Being Overwhelmed By Support Of Strangers In Her Fight For Right Compensation

The feud with the makers of Black Widow for the right pay was surely tough for Johansson as she worked with the studios for a long time. This public dispute between Johansson and the studio took an unexpected turn, as the actress found support from strangers who applauded her for standing up for herself. Despite the intense scrutiny and personal challenges, including her pregnancy at the time, Johansson remained determined to fight for what she believed was fair. The Lost in Translation star also shared how her pregnancy acted as a distraction for her in these tough times.
“I was sad and disappointed. But mostly sad. It was such a surreal moment because we were all isolated and just sort of emerging a little bit. I was also really heavily pregnant, too, which in a weird way was amazing timing. Suddenly, your entire attention is drawn to this miracle of life. So, I had the most wonderful distraction in the world and soon after had a beautiful baby. I couldn’t even walk through a restaurant without somebody saying, ‘Good for you. Stand up for yourself,’ I could see that it had a bigger impact. I got support from strangers that have no skin in the game at all.”
Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in Iron Man 2

Scarlett Johansson’s Agent Was Infuriated By The Unrightful Pay From The Studios

Scarlett Johansson’s agent, Bryan Lourd, was not only disappointed but also angry at the statement from the studio, marking that the Lucy star has already been paid sufficiently. Lourd further gave insights into the reasons why the Under the Skin star chose to fight back against the studios, sharing that Johansson felt this responsibility to confront the issue for those who were struggling with the same in the tough times of the pandemic.
“I lost my mind and said, ‘How dare you make it seem like she’s not worth this money or that she somehow hasn’t earned it?’ She and I were very much in lockstep about what this was. And she had the conviction to let me fight back. A lot of people wouldn’t do that. And part of the reason she did it is because she thought, in the position she’s in, she had a responsibility not just to herself but to other people who were being confronted with this change.”

Scarlett Johansson in Black Widow (2021)
Ultimately, Johansson and Disney settled, although the exact terms remain undisclosed. But reportedly the Black Widow star’s pay amounted to $40 million. The support Johansson received from strangers further reinforced the significance of her actions and the recognition of her influence as a respected artist.

Black Widow is available on Disney+.

Source: Variety