Disney Reportedly Cut All Ties With Scarlett Johansson
One of the highest-profile stories this summer has been the ongoing legal battle between the Walt Disney Company and the lead of Black Widow; news surfaced today that Disney has reportedly cut all ties with Scarlett Johansson.
Marvel and long-time collaborator, Scarlett Johansson, seemingly ended their working relationship after the conclusion of Natasha Romonaff’s solo film, Black Widow.
Image Source: variety.com
The film was a prequel for the character, and followed the character’s selfless sacrifice at the end of Avengers: Endgame; retrieving the soul stone in order to give the team a chance to bring away all who Thanos had snapped away.
Although the end of Johansson’s relationship with Marvel was to be expected; it appears that the ongoing legal struggle between the veteran actress and the Walt Disney Studios has led the fortune 500 company to cut all ties with Johansson, and eliminate all future projects.
Photo Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
First reported by Giant Freaking Robot, the website claims that “Thanks to one of our trusted and proven inside sources, we’ve learned that Disney has closed their ties and future projects with Scarlett Johansson.”
Although the information on what projects have been canceled are still unknown, one can imagine that this news was only a matter of time, as the fractured relationship seems to leave very little room for a peaceful conclusion.
The Walt Disney Company was not shy in their very public defense to Johansson’s lawsuit against the brand; with the companies longtime lawyer calling out the actress’s claims in public.
The news, although expected, certainly comes at the cost of whatever projects the two sides could’ve collaborated on in the future.
Prior to the film’s release, Marvel’s head, Kevin Feige, even spoke about the incredible talent Johansson had as a producer and the prospects of her future work alongside Walt Disney Studios in a variety of roles.
The famed producer told Entertainment Tonight,
She was a producer on thsi film. She was the one that brought us our amazing director, Cate Shortland, and i am excited to continue working with her in any way possible if we’re so lucky.
Source: Complex.com
That interview was posted on July 1st of 2021, a little over a month before news of the lawsuit between the two sides went public.
The contract dispute, tied to Disney’s shifting distribution model, has been an issue studios around the country have had to confront with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic; With news that Disney has cut all ties with Scarlett Johansson, one has to question what precedent is being set.
With rumors circulating that other actors have considered litigation against the Mouse House; it will be interesting to see what comes of the dispute, and how Disney can now navigate this uncharted territory.
