The entire Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom was rocked to its very core when news broke out earlier today that Black Widow actress Scarlett Johansson is filing a lawsuit against Disney for allegedly committing a breach of contract. The said suit is in relation to the theatrical release and streaming premiere of the much-awaited Marvel project which has been halted on several occasions since the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Apparently, Johansson is taking issue with the project being made available on streaming via Disney+'s Premier Access on the same day of its actual release in cinemas.
Now, just hours after ScarJo broke the internet, Disney fired back at the actress and called foul at her allegations. In a feisty statement (via Variety), the House of Mouse asserted that there's no truth behind the Natasha Romanoff actress' claims, saying: "There is no merit whatsoever to this filing. The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."
The statement also reveals that Scarlett has already received $20 million for her work on the project, arguing that "the release of ‘Black Widow' on Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date."
Also Read: Black Widow Fans are Heartbroken After Scarlett Johansson Reportedly Sues Disney
It's quite evident that the folks over at Disney are disappointed and taken aback by Scarlett's accusations. If anything, this new controversy may end up hurting the actress' chances of not only making a potential return to the MCU but working with one of the biggest production companies in the world. It's a messy situation for sure and we're hoping that all parties concerned will be able to settle their differences right away. We'll keep you posted regarding new developments about this issue.
Black Widow is still streaming via Disney+'s Premier Access.