Scarlett Johansson and Disney have settled the lawsuit over the release of Black Widow on Disney+ and in theaters. Johansson filed suit earlier this year after Disney decided to release the film on its streamer the same day that it would be debuting in theaters. Johansson claimed a breach of contract in her suit that cost her upwards of $50 million in the loss of backend profits, profits that could've been made if Black Widow released exclusively in theaters like Shang-Chi, which released this month. The announcement of the lawsuit set off a firestorm of controversy as Johansson and Disney's representatives battled it out in the public eye.

Most of the industry sided with Johansson in her suit. Scarlet Witch actress Elizabeth Olsen voiced her support for Johansson and so did many others, including activist organizations who deemed Disney's response to the lawsuit a misogynistic attack. Johansson's lawsuit also seemed to indicate that the battle between streaming and theaters was finally heating up as the industry shifted more towards a streaming model that benefited studios more than it did talent.

Related: Every Way Scarlet Johansson's Black Widow Lawsuit Has Impacted Disney & MCU

Now, though, things have seemed to cool down. According to THR, Johansson and Disney have settled the lawsuit. Details about the settlement were not provided, but in the actress' statement (via Variety), Johansson seemed eager to continue working with the studio. The actress currently has a Tower of Terror move in the works that will presumably move ahead now that this matter has been settled.

Scarlett Johansson and Ray Winstone in Black Widow

The settlement should come as no surprise - it's unlikely that either Johansson or Disney even wanted this to go to court. That would have only protracted the legal battle and with everything already playing out in the public eye (and the flack Disney has gotten for it), the mega studio likely wanted to avoid that at all costs. While Johansson's settlement probably comes with an NDA, the fact that she's working with the studio again in the near future is one sign that she might've gotten a big payout.

Still, the damage has been done and Johansson has rightfully altered how Disney treats their talent. Deals with Emma Stone (who will be returning for Cruella 2) and Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt (who will return in Jungle Cruise 2) seemed to go much smoother. Whether or not this impacts the industry at large, though, remains to be seen. It certainly did set a precedent and with WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar recently saying he regrets how he handled Warner Bros. HBO Max movie deal, it's clear that because of Black Widow many executives in the industry are rethinking their strategies.

More: Why Scarlett Johansson's Lawsuit Hurts Disney More Than It Does The MCU

Source: THR, Variety

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