Scarlett Johansson Is Not Holding a Grudge Against Disney
One of the defining moments of Bob Chapek’s tenure as CEO of The Walt Disney Company was the summer of 2021 when Marvel Studios’ Black Widow was released.
The long-awaited solo movie starring Scarlet Johannson’s super spy looked poised to be the next big Marvel movie. Then, the unthinkable happened—the country was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Black Widow](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Black-Widow-1024x586.jpg)
![Black Widow](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Black-Widow-1024x586.jpg)
Photo: Disney+
With movie theaters closed throughout much of the country, Black Widow‘s box office prospects suddenly looked bleak. To try to recoup some of the money that Black Widow would be missing out on at the box office, Disney decided to release the film on Disney+ with Premiere Access simultaneously with its release in theaters.
Eventually, Black Widow would gross over $379 million worldwide, setting several pandemic box office records.
Johansson Eventually Sued Disney
Despite the film’s success amid unprecedented circumstances, Disney’s decision to release the film on streaming simultaneously with its theatrical release caused conflict with Johansson, who had contract bonuses based on the film’s box office return.
After months of working behind the scenes to get Disney to make good on the millions of dollars that Johansson lost out on when Disney released Black Widow on streaming, the actress got nowhere. Finally, Johansson sued Disney.
![Scarlet Johansson](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scarlet-Johansson-1024x570.jpg)
![Scarlet Johansson](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scarlet-Johansson-1024x570.jpg)
Photo: CNN
In response to the lawsuit, Disney released a scathing statement attacking Johnsson for her “callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
![Bob Chapek beard](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bob-Chapek-beard.png)
![Bob Chapek beard](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bob-Chapek-beard.png)
Photo: CNBC
It was a shocking public attack from Disney on a star who had not only appeared in eight Marvel movies but was also a fan of the Disney brand. It was also just the kind of statement that would never have been released if Bob Iger was in charge.
The Relationship Looks to Be Healed
Much has changed since Disney’s public battle with Johansson in 2021. Bob Iger is back in charge at Disney, and it appears that Johansson has no hard feelings. In a recent interview with Variety, the actress reflected on the incident.
“I don’t hold a grudge,” Johansson said. “I think it was just poor judgment and poor leadership at that time. It just felt very unprofessional to me, the entire ordeal. And honestly, I was incredibly disappointed, especially because I was holding out hope until, finally, my team was like, ‘You have to act.’”
![Scarlett Johansson, sworn enemy of Bob Chapek](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/iron-man-2-scarlett-johansson-black-widow-1024x682.jpeg)
![Scarlett Johansson, sworn enemy of Bob Chapek](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/iron-man-2-scarlett-johansson-black-widow-1024x682.jpeg)
Source: denofgeek.com
Looking back, it sounds like Johansson largely blames Chapek and Disney leadership for the incident. Luckily, the relationship between the actress and the studio has seemingly been mended. While Johansson’s time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seemingly come to an end, the actress is set to produce a Tower of Terror movie with Disney.
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