After having been the victim of countless delays, Black Widow was recently released to the world. The film was met with positive reactions from both critics and fans and did well on its opening weekend, even if its performance did drop the following weeks.
Scarlett Johansson was then reported to be publicly suing Disney over a breach of contract when the studio decided to release Black Widow on Disney+ alongside the film's theatrical premiere. In doing so, not only was a legal agreement broken, but her profits for her first solo film were severely affected thanks to lower box office numbers due to the film being on Disney+.
Disney's response to the matter wasn't all that great. In fact, it even bewildered many across Hollywood—the company's reputation was soured to a heavy degree thanks to its handling of this major situation. Even Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige was reportedly embarrassed about the whole thing.
But why would anybody choose to sue Disney in such a public manner? Well, Scarlett Johansson was said to be comfortable doing so for particular reason; one which may have something to do with the cold Vormir concrete floor her character is still lying on.
SCARLETT JOHANSSON'S DUBIOUS MCU FUTURE
In an op-ed by Vulture, the website stated that the reason Scarlett Johansson went forward with pursuing legal action against Disney was "precisely because there are no more planned cameos for Natasha Romanoff or MCU sequels."
This makes sense, as it puts Johansson in the safest spot with little to lose. It also seemingly confirms that Marvel Studios is not currently planning any more Natasha Romanoff appearances after her prequel swan song.
JOHANSSON SUES DISNEY ON HER WAY OUT
It makes perfect sense for Scarlett Johansson to take her justified actions when she did. She has nothing to lose; her character is all but done in the MCU. Sure, she may get a cameo or small appearance here or there, but there's nothing to stop the actor from making a point and holding one of the largest corporations around accountable.
After all, Johansson's move against Disney has huge implications and is likely to set industry-wide standards when it comes to how these studios will handle hybrid theatrical and streaming releases. It's always good to make sure contracts aren't breached as the world adapts to the pandemic era, especially if more delays are potentially in the industry's future.
While Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow may be done in the MCU for now, at least the world will have Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova to look forward to. While it is best not to consider her a true replacement, Pugh's performance and character are the perfect fit to fill the vacuum that Natasha Romanoff's death created.
Thankfully, fans won't have to wait much longer to see Yelena show her face again, as she will be making an appearance in the upcoming Hawkeye Disney+ show. Thanks to Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Val, though, it looks like Yelena won't be having a friendly meet-up with Natasha's best friend—in fact, it could get quite messy.
Fans can find Black Widow in theaters and streaming on Disney+, while Hawkeye will premiere on the streaming service on November 24, 2021.
