Elizabeth Olsen is speaking out in defense of her Marvel co-star Scarlett Johansson, who made headlines last month for claims Disney had violated their contract with her.
In her lawsuit, Johansson asserted that the company’s move to simultaneously release her film, Black Widow, on both Disney Plus and in cinemas was a violation of her deal, since her backend profits were heavily dependent on the movie’s success at the box office.
The last-minute move to put Black Widow on its streaming platform evidently meant Johansson’s earnings would have suffered, and she’s rightfully seeking for Disney to pay for the damages.
While many other Disney stars have remained quiet on this issue, Olsen decided to speak on the situation, as she praised the Avengers star during a recent interview with Vanity Fair, saying she was happy to hear Johansson take action against the firm.
“I think she’s so tough and literally when I read [about the lawsuit] I was like, ‘Good for you Scarlett,’” she said. “When it comes to actors and their earnings, I mean, that’s just…that’s just all contracts. So it’s either in the contract or it’s not.”
As these things often go in show business, there is also a symbolic life on the line in this battle against the simul-release: Movie theaters. Olsen continued that she’s also “worried about small movies getting the opportunity to be seen in theatres. I like going to the movies and I don’t necessarily want to see only an Oscar contender or a blockbuster. I would like to see art films and art house theatre.”
“And so I do worry about that, and people having to keep these theatres alive. And I don’t know how financially that works for these theatres."
Johansson claims in her lawsuit that she lost out on about $50 million after Disney’s decision to release Black Widow on Disney+ while it was still showing in cinemas, completely neglecting the deal they had signed with the A-list actress.
The case is still ongoing, but according to reports, Disney is now looking to move ahead by requesting a private arbitration to settle the suit.