Scarlett Johansson Speaks Out Against Disney’s Handling of Black Widow Legal Dispute; Expresses Disappointment
After much-publicized legal battles, Scarlett Johansson and Disney seem to have resolved their issues regarding the release plan for 2021’s Black Widow. Despite the overshadowing of Johansson’s character Natasha Romanoff finally getting her own solo film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actress has stated that she doesn’t hold any ill feelings towards Disney.
Scarlett Johansson’s Criticism of Disney’s Handling of Black Widow
In an interview with The New York Times, Scarlett Johansson discussed her legal dispute with Disney over the release strategy for Black Widow in 2021. Due to pandemic-related restrictions that limited theater capacities, studios had to explore alternative revenue streams.
Disney chose not to adhere to Johansson’s contract, which specified an exclusive theatrical release, opting instead for a simultaneous release in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access.
This decision prompted Johansson to sue Disney, resulting in contentious exchanges between the actress and the studio. Despite this, Johansson has expressed her willingness to move on from the incident:
“I don’t hold a grudge. I believe it was a lapse in judgment and leadership at the time. The entire ordeal felt very unprofessional to me. I was deeply disappointed, especially when I was hopeful until my team eventually urged me to take action.”
While the situation initially stirred up controversy, it appears that Johansson now sees it as a result of poor decision-making and leadership on Disney’s part.
Black Widow managed to gross USD 379.7 million worldwide, a respectable figure considering its $200 million budget.
Scarlett Johansson’s Encounter with OpenAI CEO
Aside from her ongoing Disney lawsuit, Scarlett Johansson found herself entangled in an AI-related controversy. She revealed that Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, approached her in September 2023 with an offer to voice the ChatGPT 4.0 system. Known for her AI voice role in the 2013 film Her, Johansson turned down the offer. However, she later noticed that the new assistant, “Sky,” bore a striking resemblance to her voice.
In her interview with The New York Times, Johansson mentioned that she had actively avoided involvement in the AI realm, making the situation unsettling. She questioned how she got entangled in it and expressed frustration. When asked about Altman potentially playing a Marvel villain, she jokingly suggested he could, “maybe with a robotic arm.”
Johansson’s decision to decline OpenAI’s initial offer seems to stem from concerns about privacy and her personal values. She made it clear that she preferred not to be extensively involved and emphasized privacy and discretion. Johansson underscored her commitment to maintaining boundaries, especially for her children, noting that she only discussed the offer with her husband and kept it confidential.
ALSO READ: Scarlett Johansson Reveals Her Daughter Is ‘Scared’ To Watch Avengers Movie: ‘She Likes That I Play Black Widow…’