Scarlett Johansson's Marvel Contract Status
Scarlett Johansson is no longer under an active Marvel Studios contract following the conclusion of her Black Widow arc. Her final solo film, Black Widow, premiered on July 9, 2021, and marked the end of her primary nine-film deal with the Walt Disney Company and Marvel Studios. Disney officially confirmed the settlement of her legal dispute over Black Widow's simultaneous streaming and theatrical release in October 2021, with terms undisclosed to the public. The resolution closed the chapter on her long-running association with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which began with Iron Man 2 in 2010. Forbes reported the settlement as a significant moment for talent negotiations in the streaming era.
After Black Widow, Johansson appeared in a supporting role in Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018), which ranked among the highest-grossing films worldwide. Her cumulative box office contributions across the MCU franchise placed her among the top-grossing actors in film history, according to Box Office Mojo data. Marvel Studios has not announced any new standalone projects featuring Black Widow, and Johansson has not signed a new multi-film deal with the studio. The character's future in the franchise remains unconfirmed as Marvel Studios enters its next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Black Widow's Release and Financial Outcome
Black Widow was released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access on July 9, 2021, a strategy that led to Johansson filing a lawsuit against Disney for breach of contract. The suit alleged that the hybrid release violated her contractual compensation tied to a theatrical-only debut. The case was settled privately before trial, with both sides issuing statements confirming the resolution. The film earned approximately $379 million worldwide at the box office, according to The Numbers, and generated additional revenue through Disney+ Premier Access purchases.
The financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but industry analysts estimated Johansson's total compensation package for Black Widow exceeded $20 million, including backend participation. Disney's decision to pursue a simultaneous streaming release reflected its broader strategy to prioritize Disney+ subscriber growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The move was criticized by several actors and directors, but Disney maintained that the hybrid model maximized global reach. Disney's SEC filings during that period referenced pandemic-related content strategy shifts.
Scarlett Johansson's Post-Marvel Career
Since the conclusion of her Marvel contract, Johansson has focused on a mix of film and voice acting projects. She starred in the Apple TV+ series "Sing" and appeared in the film "Asteroid City" (2023), directed by Wes Anderson. Her production company, These Pictures, continues to develop original content, with a focus on female-driven narratives. Johansson has also returned to voice work as Ash Graven in the animated series "Final Space," which concluded its run on TBS and HBO Max.
Johansson's post-Marvel trajectory reflects a broader industry trend of actors diversifying their portfolios beyond single franchise commitments. Her brand partnerships and endorsement deals, including long-standing ties to Dolce & Gabbana and SodaStream, have remained active. She has not publicly commented on returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in any capacity.