Scarlett Johansson starrer Black Widow lost a lot of money last year because of piracy. The Marvel/Disney film suffered losses to the tune of $600 million.

Black Widow kickstarted MCU’s Phase 4 with a bang and was expected to be massive for the studios involved but owing to COVID-related measures and piracy, the film performed average.

Also, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-disney-lashes-at-scarlett-johansson-for-suing-it-on-taking-black-widow-film-to-disney-401634">tussle between Scarlett and Disney bosses</a> became a thing of news when the film was made available for the studio’s streamer partner at the same time as in theatres. Disney had then stated that the ongoing COVID crisis had led them on to release the film in a hybrid model while the actress claimed that it cut her profits.&nbsp;

<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/topics/scarlett-johansson" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/topics/scarlett-johansson&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiFnf2v85f1AhXRTWwGHddfBfQQFnoECAcQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1f2enlTlEkwiR2qjL792wo" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/scarlett-johansson" target="_blank">Scarlett Johansson</a>, infact, sued Disney but the lawsuit was settled after some time.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-keanu-reeves-to-star-in-hulu-series-by-leonardo-dicaprio-martin-scorsese-442142" hreflang="en">Keanu Reeves to star in Hulu series by Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese</a>

Now, new reports suggest that Disney had to pay a heavy price for putting Black Widow on Disney+ as it became easy for the pirates to get to the film. Several piracy websites made the film available in different languages. In August itself, the Scarlett Johansson led film had been pirated more than 20 million times. It is estimated to have been a loss of around $600 million.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-scarlett-johansson-is-working-on-top-secret-marvel-project-after-feud-over-black-widow-430711" hreflang="en">Scarlett Johansson is working on 'top secret' Marvel project after feud over 'Black Widow'</a>

Scarlett Johansson starrer Black Widow lost a lot of money last year because of piracy. The Marvel/Disney film suffered losses to the tune of $600 million. Black Widow kickstarted MCU’s Phase 4 with a bang and was expected to be massive for the studios involved but owing to COVID-related measures and piracy, the film performed average.

Scarlett Johansson starrer Black Widow lost a lot of money last year because of piracy. The Marvel/Disney film suffered losses to the tune of $600 million. Black Widow kickstarted MCU’s Phase 4 with a bang and was expected to be massive for the studios involved but owing to COVID-related measures and piracy, the film performed average. Also, the tussle between Scarlett and Disney bosses became a thing of news when the film was made available for the studio’s streamer partner at the same time as in theatres. Disney had then stated that the ongoing COVID crisis had led them on to release the film in a hybrid model while the actress claimed that it cut her profits. Scarlett Johansson, infact, sued Disney but the lawsuit was settled after some time. Also read: Keanu Reeves to star in Hulu series by Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese Now, new reports suggest that Disney had to pay a heavy price for putting Black Widow on Disney+ as it became easy for the pirates to get to the film. Several piracy websites made the film available in different languages. In August itself, the Scarlett Johansson led film had been pirated more than 20 million times. It is estimated to have been a loss of around $600 million. Scarlett Johansson is working on 'top secret' Marvel project after feud over 'Black Widow'

Scarlett Johansson starrer Black Widow lost $600 million owing to piracy

After ‘Black Widow’ actress Scarlett Johansson sued Disney breaching contract with her as the studio released the Marvel film on Disney+ streamer at the same time of its theatrical release. This thus caused her losses as it siphoned potential theatergoers, costing her potential compensation tied to the movie’s theatrical revenue.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-scarlett-johansson-sues-disney-over-black-widow-streaming-release-401624">lawsuit</a> claims that, by steering audiences to Disney+, the media conglomerate wanted to grow its subscriber base and boost its stock price. Yet that was at the expense of Johansson, whose compensation would “largely be based on box office receipts,” according to the lawsuit, while she “extracted a promise from Marvel that the release” of Black Widow would be a theatrical release.

Responding to the lawsuit, the Walt Disney Co. has fired back at the actress and called the litigation a “callous disregard” to the Covid-19 pandemic and even revealed that she has so far received $20 million from the project.

A Disney spokesperson said, “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. Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and furthermore, 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.”

Meanwhile, Johansson’s attorney, John Berlinski of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, said in a statement: “It’s no secret that Disney is releasing films like Black Widow directly onto Disney+ to increase subscribers and thereby boost the company’s stock price – and that it’s hiding behind Covid-19 as a pretext to do so. But ignoring the contracts of the artists responsible for the success of its films in furtherance of this short-sighted strategy violates their rights and we look forward to proving as much in court. This will surely not be the last case where Hollywood talent stands up to Disney and makes it clear that, whatever the company may pretend, it has a legal obligation to honor its contracts.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and names the Walt Disney Company as the sole defendant.&nbsp;

After ‘Black Widow’ actress Scarlett Johansson sued Disney breaching contract with her as the studio released the Marvel film on Disney+ streamer at the same time of its theatrical release.

After ‘Black Widow’ actress Scarlett Johansson sued Disney breaching contract with her as the studio released the Marvel film on Disney+ streamer at the same time of its theatrical release. This thus caused her losses as it siphoned potential theatergoers, costing her potential compensation tied to the movie’s theatrical revenue. The lawsuit claims that, by steering audiences to Disney+, the media conglomerate wanted to grow its subscriber base and boost its stock price. Yet that was at the expense of Johansson, whose compensation would “largely be based on box office receipts,” according to the lawsuit, while she “extracted a promise from Marvel that the release” of Black Widow would be a theatrical release. Responding to the lawsuit, the Walt Disney Co. has fired back at the actress and called the litigation a “callous disregard” to the Covid-19 pandemic and even revealed that she has so far received $20 million from the project. A Disney spokesperson said, “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. Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and furthermore, 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.” Meanwhile, Johansson’s attorney, John Berlinski of Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, said in a statement: “It’s no secret that Disney is releasing films like Black Widow directly onto Disney+ to increase subscribers and thereby boost the company’s stock price – and that it’s hiding behind Covid-19 as a pretext to do so. But ignoring the contracts of the artists responsible for the success of its films in furtherance of this short-sighted strategy violates their rights and we look forward to proving as much in court. This will surely not be the last case where Hollywood talent stands up to Disney and makes it clear that, whatever the company may pretend, it has a legal obligation to honor its contracts.” The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and names the Walt Disney Company as the sole defendant.

Disney lashes at Scarlett Johansson for suing it on taking 'Black Widow' to streamer

As ‘Black Widow’ created records this pandemic for being one of the most successful films after theatres opened up in full steam post COVID positive cases came down in the US, theatre owners have written a long press note slamming Walt Disney Co. for making the Marvel film available on its streamer too soon.&nbsp;

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) shared a press note blasting Walt Disney Co. They said that ever since the film has been available on Disney’s streaming channel, the ticket sales and subsequently the box office numbers have gone drastically. So the money that could have helped revive the theatres, have been cut by the streamer.&nbsp;

Theatre owners talked about the “stunning collapse in its second weekend in theatrical revenues,” in addition to dropping an unprecedented 41 percent from Friday to Saturday during its opening over the July 9-11 frame.

NATO said, “Despite assertions that this pandemic-era improvised release strategy was a success for Disney and the simultaneous release model, it demonstrates that an exclusive theatrical release means more revenue for all stakeholders in every cycle of the movie’s life.”

“The many questions raised by Disney’s limited release of streaming data opening weekend are being rapidly answered by Black Widow’s disappointing and anomalous performance. The most important answer is that simultaneous release is a pandemic-era artifact that should be left to history with the pandemic itself.”

Marvel and Disney’s ‘Black Widow’ fell to No. 2 in its second outing with $26.3 million for the July 16-18 weekend. The superhero film suffered a steep 67 per cent decline, one of the biggest drops ever for a Marvel title.

Disney declined to comment on the NATO statement.&nbsp;

As ‘Black Widow’ created records this pandemic for being one of the most successful films after theatres opened up in full steam post COVID positive cases came down in the US, theatre owners have written a long press note slamming Walt Disney Co.

As ‘Black Widow’ created records this pandemic for being one of the most successful films after theatres opened up in full steam post COVID positive cases came down in the US, theatre owners have written a long press note slamming Walt Disney Co. for making the Marvel film available on its streamer too soon. The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) shared a press note blasting Walt Disney Co. They said that ever since the film has been available on Disney’s streaming channel, the ticket sales and subsequently the box office numbers have gone drastically. So the money that could have helped revive the theatres, have been cut by the streamer. Theatre owners talked about the “stunning collapse in its second weekend in theatrical revenues,” in addition to dropping an unprecedented 41 percent from Friday to Saturday during its opening over the July 9-11 frame. NATO said, “Despite assertions that this pandemic-era improvised release strategy was a success for Disney and the simultaneous release model, it demonstrates that an exclusive theatrical release means more revenue for all stakeholders in every cycle of the movie’s life.” “The many questions raised by Disney’s limited release of streaming data opening weekend are being rapidly answered by Black Widow’s disappointing and anomalous performance. The most important answer is that simultaneous release is a pandemic-era artifact that should be left to history with the pandemic itself.” Marvel and Disney’s ‘Black Widow’ fell to No. 2 in its second outing with $26.3 million for the July 16-18 weekend. The superhero film suffered a steep 67 per cent decline, one of the biggest drops ever for a Marvel title. Disney declined to comment on the NATO statement.

Theatre owners slam Disney for making Marvel film 'Black Widow' available on streamer too soon

Walt Disney Co DIS.N on Wednesday postponed the release of superhero movie "Black Widow" and Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" until 2021, a setback to cinema operators hoping for a late-year surge in moviegoing.

The films were among the biggest titles remaining on Hollywood’s schedule for 2020. “Black Widow” was delayed by six months until May 2021 and “West Side Story,” a movie version of the classic Broadway musical, by a year to December 2021.

The changes follow disappointing efforts to get Americans back into movie theaters after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered cinemas worldwide in March.

Theaters remain closed in Los Angeles and New York, the two largest moviegoing hubs in the United States. Big chains including AMC Entertainment AMC.N and Cineworld Plc's CINE.L Regal Cinemas have reopened in other U.S. cities.

The few blockbusters left on this year’s include James Bond movie “No Time to Die,” due to debut on Nov. 20, and “Wonder Woman 1984,” which recently moved to Dec. 25.

Disney and others have shuffled their schedules several times as they try to gauge when the pandemic will fade enough to bring audiences back to multiplexes. Some movies have skipped theaters and gone straight to streaming services.

“Black Widow,” starring Scarlett Johansson as the Marvel action hero, had originally been scheduled for May before Disney moved it to Nov. 6.

Disney on Wednesday also moved back Agatha Christie mystery “Death on the Nile” to December 2020 from October, and Marvel’s “Eternals” to November 2021 from February 2021.

“Marvel made the right &amp; responsible decision,” “Eternals” star Kumail Nanjiani wrote on Twitter. “There’s a pandemic. Nothing is more important than health &amp; lives. I can’t tell (people) to go to a movie theater until I feel safe going to one.”

Disney still plans to release animated Pixar movie “Soul” in theaters on Nov. 20.

Walt Disney Co DIS.N on Wednesday postponed the release of superhero movie "Black Widow" and Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" until 2021, a setback to cinema operators hoping for a late-year surge in moviegoing.

Walt Disney Co DIS.N on Wednesday postponed the release of superhero movie "Black Widow" and Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" until 2021, a setback to cinema operators hoping for a late-year surge in moviegoing. The films were among the biggest titles remaining on Hollywood’s schedule for 2020. “Black Widow” was delayed by six months until May 2021 and “West Side Story,” a movie version of the classic Broadway musical, by a year to December 2021. The changes follow disappointing efforts to get Americans back into movie theaters after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered cinemas worldwide in March. Theaters remain closed in Los Angeles and New York, the two largest moviegoing hubs in the United States. Big chains including AMC Entertainment AMC.N and Cineworld Plc's CINE.L Regal Cinemas have reopened in other U.S. cities. The few blockbusters left on this year’s include James Bond movie “No Time to Die,” due to debut on Nov. 20, and “Wonder Woman 1984,” which recently moved to Dec. 25. Disney and others have shuffled their schedules several times as they try to gauge when the pandemic will fade enough to bring audiences back to multiplexes. Some movies have skipped theaters and gone straight to streaming services. “Black Widow,” starring Scarlett Johansson as the Marvel action hero, had originally been scheduled for May before Disney moved it to Nov. 6. Disney on Wednesday also moved back Agatha Christie mystery “Death on the Nile” to December 2020 from October, and Marvel’s “Eternals” to November 2021 from February 2021. “Marvel made the right & responsible decision,” “Eternals” star Kumail Nanjiani wrote on Twitter. “There’s a pandemic. Nothing is more important than health & lives. I can’t tell (people) to go to a movie theater until I feel safe going to one.” Disney still plans to release animated Pixar movie “Soul” in theaters on Nov. 20.

Disney delays 'Black Widow' in new setback for cinemas