WandaVision star Elizabeth Olsen addressed her Marvel Cinematic Universe co-star Scarlett Johansson's lawsuit against Disney over the dual release of Black Widow in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Olsen stated, "I think she's so tough and literally when I read that I was like, 'good for you Scarlett.'"
This answer came following a question regarding the streaming of blockbuster films, specifically how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected theatrical releases. "I'm worried about a bunch of things. Not worried on Scarlett’s behalf. But I'm worried about small movies getting the opportunity to be seen in theaters," Olsen said. "That was already a thing pre-COVID. I like going to the movies and I don't necessarily want to see only an Oscar contender or a blockbuster. I would like to see art films and art house theaters. And so I do worry about that, and people having to keep these theaters alive."
She continued, "And I don't know how financially that works for these theaters. I do hope that there's some sort of solution that the larger companies are coming together to keep, at least in L.A. this is going to happen. But I do think it's going to be how it kind of used to be when studios owned theaters. And I have a feeling that we might go back to that being the only way to keep them alive with such expensive real estate. But when it comes to actors and their earnings, I mean, that's just, that's just all contracts. So it's either in the contract or it's not."
It was reported in July that Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging the company breached her contract for Black Widow, her ninth and final Marvel film, by releasing the film simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+. The lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court states that Disney and Marvel Entertainment guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release for Black Widow and that part of Johansson's payment would be based on the film's box office performance, which was diminished due to its release on Disney+ Premier Access.
Disney's initial response to the filing called it not only "sad and distressing," but a "callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic." The company stated that the Disney+ release of Black Widow "significantly enhanced [Johansson's] ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date." Disney's first action since the filing was a demand that the lawsuit be moved out of the public eye and into arbitration, which prompted a response from Johansson's legal team.
"After initially responding to this litigation with a misogynistic attack against Scarlett Johansson, Disney is now, predictably, trying to hide its misconduct in a confidential arbitration," said Johansson's lead attorney John Berlinski. "Why is Disney so afraid of litigating this case in public?"
Disney CEO Bob Chapek defended Black Widow's release strategy during an earnings call, citing the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a major reason. He also confirmed that the upcoming MCU entry Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, would premiere exclusively in theaters, serving as an "experiment" for Disney, as the film's box office performance will inform the company's decisions for the release of future films. Marvel's Eternals is slated to release exclusively in theaters as well.
Source: Vanity Fair
