Bob Chapek; Scarlett Johansson.Photo: getty (2)
During an earnings call on Thursday, Chapek spoke about the dual releases of films in movie theaters and on Disney+, telling Wall Street analysts, “We value flexibility in being able to make last-minute calls,” according toDeadline.
He added that he and former CEO Bob Iger, who now serves as chairman of the board at Disney, “determined” the dual release plan for several of this year’s movies “was the right strategy to enable us to reach the broadest possible audience.”
A spokesperson for Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Scarlett Johansson inBlack Widow(2021).Film Frame/Marvel Studios 2020
“Just like what we’ve done many times before, we’ve found ways to fairly compensate our talent so that, no matter what, everyone feels satisfied,” he said.
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In a statement made after the filing was made public, a Disney spokesperson for the company 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 theCOVID-19 pandemic.”
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“Disney has fully complied with Ms. Johansson’s contract and furthermore, the release ofBlack Widowon Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20M she has received to date,” the statement continued.
Disney facedbacklash from Johansson’s agent, Bryan Lourd, and multiple women’s groups in Hollywood, such as Time’s Up, ReFrame and Women in Film, Los Angeles, who called the company’s response to the actress’s lawsuit “a gendered character attack.”
source: people.com
