Scarlett Johansson made waves last year when she sued Disney over the streaming release of Black Widow, claiming it breached her contract and cost her millions in box office bonuses. The legal battle represented a rare public dispute between an actor and the powerful Disney studio.
Johansson took a major risk by challenging the media giant over compensation tied to Black Widow’s simultaneous premiere in theaters and on Disney+. Her controversial lawsuit signified growing tensions between Hollywood’s top talent and streaming platforms. Now, Johansson seems eager to move on and collaborate with other major players in Hollywood.
Marvel Actress Eyes Collaboration With Tom Cruise After Disney Fallout
In an interview, Johansson expressed interest in working with Tom Cruise, stating she would “absolutely” be open to making a movie with the Mission Impossible star. Cruise is one of the few movie stars on par with Johansson in terms of box office draw and industry clout. He has successfully protected the theatrical window for his movies, even during the pandemic, giving Johansson an enticing big-screen opportunity away from Disney.
With her standing damaged at Disney, Johansson appears motivated to leverage her star power elsewhere. A pairing with Cruise could reassert her box-office dominance following the streaming release of Black Widow. It would also grant Johansson the chance to headline a major theatrical release apart from Marvel and reunite her with a fellow A-lister.
Tom Cruise Offers Johansson Way Forward After Disney Rift
By voicing interest in working with Cruise, Scarlett Johansson signals she intends to thrive outside of her former partnership with Disney and Marvel. She reminds the industry she can anchor an event film without the Marvel machine behind her. What’s more, Cruise’s commitment to theatrical releases provides the exclusive big-screen showcase Johansson felt Black Widow deserved.
This collaboration with Cruise will allow Johansson to rehabilitate her leading lady image apart from Disney. She will also be able to attract crowds, provided she doesn’t need Marvel to drive ticket sales. It’s a strong statement of intent after feeling undervalued by Disney’s streaming approach and the lawsuit that followed the release of the film. Johansson refuses to be diminished by the dispute, using her clout to court new collaborators at the top of Hollywood.
This new project and partnership will allow Johansson the ideal project to reassert her Hollywood star power on the heels of quarrels with Disney. It gives Johansson the chance to deliver an unquestionable box office hit after seeing Black Widow’s profits undercut by streaming. Johansson has been one of the most highly bankable movie stars and this opportunity will give her a chance to reclaim that position.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
