Powerful ally: Disney 'should be ashamed' of response to Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney over its streaming release of Black Widow. Photo / Supplied

OPINION
Scarlett Johansson's bitter legal feud with Disney isn't going away any time soon – and now, a powerful ally in Johansson's corner says the entertainment giant "should be ashamed of themselves" for their response to the star's lawsuit.

Black Widow star Johansson last month hit Disney with a major lawsuit, alleging that the debut of her latest Marvel movie on Disney+ was a breach of her contract. It's understood she was claiming to have lost more than $67 million in earnings due to the decision to release Black Widow on Disney+.

But Disney swiftly hit back at her claims, slamming the star for displaying what they say is a "callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic."

Now, actress and SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris – best known to audiences as Andrea Zuckerman on Beverley Hills, 90210, and also one of Hollywood's most powerful advocates for actors' working rights – has issued a statement, backing Johansson.

"Disney should be ashamed of themselves for resorting to tired tactics of gender-shaming and bullying," Carteris said in a statement, published by Deadline.

"Actors must be compensated for their work according to their contracts. Scarlett Johansson is shining a white-hot spotlight on the improper shifts in compensation that companies are attempting to slip by talent as distribution models change. Nobody in any field of work should fall victim to surprise reductions in expected compensation. It is unreasonable and unjust. Disney and other content companies are doing very well and can certainly live up to their obligations to compensate the performers whose art and artistry are responsible for the corporation's profits."

"Additionally, we are deeply concerned by the gendered tone of Disney's criticism of Ms Johansson. Women are not 'callous' when they stand up and fight for fair pay – they are leaders and champions for economic justice. Women have been victimised by pay inequity for decades, and they have been further victimised by comments like those in Disney's press statements. These sorts of attacks have no place in our society and SAG-AFTRA will continue to defend our members from all forms of bias."

In their statement released publicly after Johansson's filing, a Disney spokesperson said there was "no merit whatsoever" to the lawsuit.

"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," the spokesperson said.

Black Widow has grossed more than $350m worldwide at the box office since it was released in cinemas a month ago.