Scarlett Johansson, starring the latest Marvel movie, Black Widow, has filed a lawsuit to the Los Angeles High Court, USA, saying that Disney distributed on the video service "Disney+" at the same time as the theater release.It is reported.
Johansson's complaint states that the contract with Marvel Entertainment under Disney is guaranteed an exclusive release in the theater, and most of his remuneration is based on the performance of the movie.
In other words, if many Disney+users enjoy the movie while staying at home, if the number of mobilization and box office income in the theater decrease, the amount you receive will be significantly impaired.The complaint argued that "Disney has intentionally triggered Marvel's contract violations to prevent Johansson from fully enjoy the profit of the contract with Marvel."
In fact, according to Variety reports, "Black Widow" as of July 29 has only $ 319 million, one of the lowest Marvel movies so far.It is said that Johansson is in danger of being a movie that has been less than $ 1 billion of the Marvel movies released since the beginning of 2018), and that the number of people going to the theater is sluggish.It's easy.
According to Disney's spokeswoman, Johansson's appeal has no merit and "I'm particularly sad and annoying because it ignores the terrible long-term global impact of COVID-19 infection."The ability to complete the contract, and the "Black Widow" was released with a premium access (3278 yen including tax in Japan) with Disney+, and the ability to get additional rewards in addition to the $ 20 million received so far.Has greatly improved. "
It is also pointed out in the complaint that the annual bonus of the executives of Disney, Robert Eiger, is linked to "Disney+", which is the motivation for distributing "Black Widow".It's interesting.
Disney began to release "Disney+" at the same time as a movie theater, which was closed, and the expansion of the new colona, which restricted the number of visitors, triggers the "Disney+" just launched.Is to be strengthened.
However, the US Warner Media (operated by the streaming service "HBO MAX"), which has a similar strategy, has been reported to have paid more than $ 200 million in re -negotiating contracts with the performers linked to the box office.This lawsuit has a major turning point so that people who are weaker than major media companies, such as actors and producers, have to change in the film viewing patterns under the catastrophe.Maybe.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
