‘Black Widow’ streaming numbers trigger ScarJo lawsuit against Disney

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The company revealed in a court filing Friday that the Marvel superhero film had generated more than $ 125 million in streaming and online revenue as of August 15. The film, which was made available to Disney + subscribers for $ 29.99 as of July 9 – also earned more than $ 367 million at the global box office in theaters, according to the company.

Disney included those numbers in its motion seeking confidential New York arbitration rather than a public trial.

Johansson’s attorney John Berlinski said in a statement to CNN Business: “Why is Disney so afraid to argue this case in public?”

“Because he knows that Marvel’s promises to give Black Widow a typical theatrical release” like his other films “had everything to do with ensuring that Disney wouldn’t cannibalize box office revenue in order to increase sales. Disney + subscriptions, ”he said. “Yet that is exactly what happened – and we look forward to presenting the overwhelming evidence to prove it.”

Daniel Petrocelli, the Disney and Marvel lawyer who filed the case on Friday, told CNN Business in a statement on Monday that “we are simply asking the court to enforce the parties’ agreement requiring arbitration of all disputes.” .

Johansson filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court last month that alleged Disney (SAY) broke his contract by releasing “Black Widow” on Disney + on the day of its theatrical release. This, according to the lawsuit, reduced Johansson’s financial stake in the film because she had agreed that her salary would be based, in large part, on the film’s box office.
Scarlett Johansson sues Disney for

Disney responded by saying that “there is no merit in this deposit.” The studio added at the time that the company “had fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and furthermore, the release of” Black Widow “on Disney + with Premier Access significantly improved its ability to earn additional compensation by over the $ 20 million she has received. to date. “

Johansson vs. Disney was a flashpoint in an evolving Hollywood. The lawsuit comes at a pivotal time as the industry faces questions about how audiences will consume entertainment in the future and how those who create it will be compensated.

“Black Widow” grossed $ 80 million at the North American box office on its opening weekend. This was pretty much what the industry expected and it was also a record for the era of the pandemic. The film also grossed $ 60 million worldwide on Disney + this weekend, according to the studio.

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