Theater Owners Group Supports Scarlett Johansson’s Disney Lawsuit: “We Share The Same Concerns”

Recently, it was revealed Scarlett Johnasson is suing Disney over a breach of contract regarding the hybrid release of her superhero film, “Black Widow.” Reports claim the actress is expected to lose upwards of $50 million after “Black Widow” was released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access. And it’s not just other creative types that are anxiously awaiting the results of the lawsuit, as the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) has its sights set on the legal action, as well.

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According to an interview with Variety, NATO director John Fithian understands why Scarlett Johansson is upset with Disney over the release strategy for “Black Widow.” As the executive said in the discussion, the issue is much bigger than one actor’s contract. The ramifications of releasing films simultaneously on streaming and in theaters is “bad business” for theaters and almost everyone else involved with the film industry.

“We believe that simultaneous release of movies is a bad business model for the industry as a whole. Availability in the home cannibalizes ticket sales and making a digital copy available on the very same day that a movie enters cinemas exacerbates and accelerates piracy,” said Fithian. “We’re losing a lot of business.”

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He continued, “Scarlett Johansson is making many of the same arguments that we’ve been making in her suit. Her compensation as a very, very, very successful actress and businesswoman is based on theatrical ticket sales. By going simultaneous, Disney reduced those ticket sales and therefore reduced the compensation Scarlett received. Lots and lots of talent are focused on this issue now. Scarlett happens to be a very well-known, twice Oscar-nominated actress with a huge career, so she went out first with a lawsuit, but lots of people are worried. Directors, actors, we’re talking to them all because we share the same concerns. We don’t think the creative community is doing this simply because they love the big screen experience. It’s about what’s best for everyone’s bottom line.”

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Fithian goes on to say that he’s confident that theaters will rebound after COVID and is happy to know that most studios (other than Disney) have vocalized their commitment to theatrical exclusive windows in 2022 and beyond. However, it’s clear that Disney is the biggest of the studios and those Marvel blockbusters are what help keep many theaters around the world afloat. So, as you might expect, all eyes are on the outcome of Johansson’s lawsuit and how it will affect what Disney (and the industry) does in the future.