After Black Widow’s launch plans were modified, Scarlett Johansson’s staff reportedly tried to barter a take care of Disney for the star to obtain $100 million for the film.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, “the calculation was based on what the star would receive in a hypothetical global box-office take of $1.2 billion,” a sum that was estimated primarily based on Marvel’s previous theatrical releases earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, plus Johansson’s $20 million beginning wage for her titular function within the film.
The actress’ representatives allegedly approached Disney with the $100 million determine as a “starting bid” after studying that Black Widow could be launched as a Premier Access film on Disney Plus the identical day because it hit theaters — nonetheless, the report states that negotiations did not get off the bottom as Disney by no means made a counteroffer.
Johansson determined to sue Disney over the alleged Black Widow contract breach after the film debuted concurrently in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Disney and Marvel had been “unresponsive” to negotiations regardless of Johansson’s contract, reportedly assuring her that the film could be entirely launched in theaters.
According to an e-mail throughout the lawsuit, highlighted once more within the current WSJ report, Marvel Chief Counsel Dave Galluzzi is alleged to have informed Johansson’s representatives that there would be discussions if plans modified “as the deal is based on a series of (huge) box office bonuses” for Johansson.
The report notes that one of many causes contract negotiations fell aside was uncertainty over who ought to lead the dialogue. Disney CEO Bob Chapek was reportedly targeted on pandemic-related firm issues. He handed the deal-making energy to others within the group. Still, Bob Iger and Alan Horn additionally allegedly stayed out of the dispute.
Disney later responded to Johansson’s lawsuit, claiming they’d “fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract” and that Black Widow’s launch on Disney Plus Premier Access had really “significantly enhanced” the star’s capacity to earn “additional compensation on top of the $20M” she acquired as her beginning wage for Natasha Romanoff’s solo outing.