The ongoing argument between Scarlett Johansson and Disney is over Black widowThe publication has continued to grow, and most recently longtime Disney attorney Daniel Petrocelli stepped in to say Johansson’s lawsuit is nothing more than a public relations campaign.
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Speaking to Variety, Petrocelli found that the requirements in Johansson’s litigation go beyond what an actor’s contract with the studio suggests. Petrocelli went on to say that the steps Johansson has taken will be carried out in an orchestrated manner regardless of what their contract says.
“It is evident that this is a highly orchestrated public relations campaign to get an outcome that is not achievable in the lawsuit,” said Petrocelli. “No public pressure can change or obscure the express contractual obligations. The written contract is as clear as a bell. “
Petrocelli pointed out that the Johansson-Disney contract stipulates that both sides should go to arbitration rather than an open court for all disputes. The contract reportedly also calls for Disney to be released Black widow on at least 1,500 screens in the United States, which Disney did by putting the film on 9,000 US screens and 30,000 worldwide. Petrocelli also notes that the sales decisions are entirely with Disney, regardless of what others may claim.
Johansson’s argument seems to stem from making the decision Black widow a day-to-day release in theaters and online through Disney + ‘s Premiere Access service hurt the actress and the box office bonuses she may have received. Petrocelli said the film’s release on Disney + acted as a boost as revenue from the Premiere Access service goes into the box office.
“We treated Disney Premier Access (revenue) like box office for the purposes of the bonus requirements in the contract. That only improved Ms. Johansson’s profitability, ”said Petrocelli.
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Of course, the dispute between the two parties is far from resolved, as both legal teams essentially blame the other for how things went. As it progresses, it will be interesting to see how far this goes in the jurisdiction and what decisions may be made.
