Scarlett Johansson says Disney lawsuit had ‘positive impact’, Kevin Feige hints at ‘top-secret Marvel project’ with her

Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson, who just celebrated nearly three decades in entertainment business, believes her Disney lawsuit made a positive impact in the industry and for artists.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the 35th annual American Cinematheque tribute in her honour on Thursday, the actor spoke about the lawsuit, which the studio and Johansson, 36, settled later.

The tribute saw friends, co-stars and collaborators like Jon Favreau, Marvel chief Kevin Feige, Jamie Lee Curtis, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Samuel L Jackson, Jeremy Renner and others celebrate Johansson’s varied career.

Feige even tease from the stage that they are partnered on “another non-Black Widow-related top-secret Marvel Studios project with her as a producer.” Asked about the lawsuit where the actor alleged Disney of breach of contract when the studio opted to release the Marvel title day-and-date in theatres and on its streaming platform Disney+, Johansson said it was not an easy decision. “It was a very surreal time because, of course, the film had come out and was hugely successful and that was a big celebration. I had a baby and that was obviously a life-changing, amazing, celebratory thing,” the actor, who welcomed a son four months ago with husband Colin Jost, said.

Johansson, who also has a 7-year-old daughter from a previous marriage, said the birth of her son sort of ‘buoyed’ her through the ‘very uncertain, stressful time’. “I feel mostly very fortunate that nobody will have to go through what I went through and that it’s made, I think, a positive impact in the industry and hopefully for artists and creatives’ lives and livelihood.” Terms of the settlement were not disclosed but the lawsuit had turned bitter with both the parties exchanging strong public statements but at the time of the deal, the actor said she was looking forward to “continuing our collaboration in years to come”. Feige, who was there to celebrate Johansson’s achievement, called her ”one of the most talented, versatile and beloved actors of our time’.

“We are already working with Scarlett on another non-Black Widow-related top-secret Marvel Studios project with her as a producer,” he said. “…It has truly been a pleasure to work with someone of her caliber. From those epic training sessions preparing for the hallway fight in Iron Man 2, to the around the world press tour in Avengers: Endgame to partnering with you as a producer on Black Widow, working with you Scarlett has truly been one of the most memorable and rewarding collaborations of my career.”