Actress Scarlett Johansson explains why she is still producing for Disney and Marvel, despite her filing a lawsuit against the company back in late July. Johansson sued Disney mainly due to their decision to release Black Widow both on Disney+ and in theaters simultaneously. The film was constantly rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Disney eager to add the film to their streaming service after fears that fans would be unwilling to go see the movie in the theater due to the crowded atmosphere. Black Widow's hybrid release caused it to be one of the lowest-performing films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Johansson was not pleased by the outcome, as it led to her losing bonuses, which she would have received based heavily on the film's box office performance. She claims that she had lost $50 million because of the Black Widow's simultaneous release on streaming and in theaters. Both she and the company fired at each other, but the feud came to an end after Johansson received a massive pay-out of around $40 million. The actress' actions were backed by many of her fellow peers in the film industry, including the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, who called her decision to sue a brave one.
Now that the feud has calmed down, Johansson revealed in an interview with the Collider, that she has been inspired to produce for Disney. She is now involved in the upcoming Tower of Terror film, a movie adaptation based on the Disney World ride. Johansson also talks about her past experiences in the film industry, saying that it is like being in a "creative family" where everyone works together to get the job done. She then reveals her interest in returning to Marvel, taking on a producing role, because "it's like a creative playground that's just like a dream." Read Johansson's full quote below:
“I have worked for 30 years, which is insane when I say it out loud, but I think I just understand the efficiency of how productions run and how you thin the fat on a production and make things well oiled. I’ve learned that the fish rots from the head, which is very very true I think in any creative space, but particularly a production involves many hundreds of people and so yeah, just working with people that want to be there and all want to creatively contribute to the same kind of idea and building that kind of creative family I think is something I’m really excited about as I produce more and more things for other people.”
“As far as Marvel goes, it’s like working with family there. Marvel has some of the best IP ever and you can really dream big there and nothing’s ever off the table and you kind of throw all these blue-sky ideas around and see what sticks. It’s like a creative playground that’s just like a dream. Again, I have that shorthand with my fellow creatives there that comes from being in the world for 10 years with those guys.”
Many have speculated as to what Johansson's next MCU project could be, especially after Kevin Feige expressed his interest in continuing to work with the Black Widow star. Some speculate that Johansson could be helping Marvel create an all-female Avengers cast, albeit without her character. Others speculate that Johansson could be helping produce a Yelena Belova solo movie.
The mini-war between Disney and Johansson may have been a short one, but it most certainly was a memorable one. She is not the only actor to have attempted to sue Disney. For example, both Emma Stone and Emily Blunt were considering filing their own lawsuit against Disney, as both Cruella and Jungle Cruise followed a similar release style to Black Widow, both being released on Disney+ and in theaters on the same day. However, the two films were offered sequels, which caused the two actresses' to tone down their considerations. Either way, it is great news to hear that Johansson has put their past feud aside and used her talent to collaborate with Disney, or even Marvel, on future projects.
Source: Collider