Epic battles take place all the time in the Marvel universe, but now a real battle royale has broken out between the Disney-owned studio \u2026<\/b>
\nEpic battles take place all the time in the Marvel universe, but now a real battle royale has broken out between the Disney-owned studio and one of its biggest stars that could have significant repercussions throughout Hollywood. Actress Scarlett Johansson has sued The Walt Disney Co. over its simultaneous theatrical and streaming release of Black Widow, claiming Disney broke its promise to her that it would open the movie in cinemas first. She has alleged the \u201cday-and-date\u201d release benefited Disney executives while depriving her of box-office receipts. In the lawsuit filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court, attorneys for Johansson said Marvel promised the star that Black Widow would receive a \u201ctheatrical release.\u201d \u201cAs Ms. Johansson, Disney, Marvel, and most everyone else in Hollywood knows, a \u2018theatrical release\u2019 is a release that is exclusive to movie theatres.\u201d Watch below: The agreement allegedly provided for Black Widow to open exclusively in cinemas for a period roughly between 90 and 120 days, which was the traditional \u201ctheatrical window\u201d before the coronavirus pandemic upended the industry. Johansson claimed Marvel ignored her attempts to negotiate after the studio announced it would debut Black Widow in theaters and on Disney+ at the same time. Her complaint specifically cited Disney chairman Bob Iger and CEO Bob Chapek, claiming both men received stock compensation tied directly to the performance of the Disney+ streaming service. \u201cIn short, the message to\u2014and from Disney\u2019s top management was clear: increase Disney+ subscribers, never mind your contractual promises, and you will be rewarded,\u201d the suit alleged. Johansson claimed she was cheated financially because her compensation was \u201clargely [based] on box office receipts,\u201d which she alleged were cannibalized by Disney+ and digital piracy. The lawsuit will be closely watched by Hollywood talent \u2014 as well their agencies and unions \u2014 as studios shift more of their blockbuster movies to day-and-date releases in an attempt to bolster their streaming services. Star compensation has traditionally consisted of a percentage of box office receipts, but the explosion of digital streaming has muddied the financial waters. If successful, Johansson\u2019s lawsuit could embolden more stars to demand studios cough up the money. Black Widow grossed a respectable-for-Marvel $80.4 million domestically on its opening weekend but then saw its second-week grosses plummet by a whopping 68 percent as moviegoers opted to stay at home and stream the movie through Disney+ Premier Access, which charges an extra $30, or watch it through illegal piracy sites. Disney bragged earlier this month that Black Widow grossed $60 million from Disney+ alone. Johansson, who is seeking unspecified damages from Disney, is one of the studio\u2019s biggest stars, having appeared in multiple Marvel movies in the past ten years. She has topped Forbes\u2019 list of highest-paid actresses \u2014 earning an estimated $56 million in 2019 \u2014 and has an estimated net worth of \u200e$165 million.<\/p>\n