Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson is the actress who played Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She first appeared as Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2 and continued in The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Black Widow. Johansson became one of the highest-grossing actors in the franchise, with her films collectively earning billions worldwide Forbes.
Johansson signed multiple Marvel contracts over more than a decade, starting with Iron Man 2 in 2010. She later negotiated individual films and participation in ensemble Marvel releases. Her compensation structure included upfront pay, backend bonuses, and profit participation tied to box office and streaming performance.
Black Widow Solo Film and Revenue
Box Office Performance
The solo film Black Widow, released in 2021, earned over $379 million globally. The film premiered simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access, a hybrid release model used by The Walt Disney Company during the pandemic. Disney reported strong streaming engagement and theatrical returns for the title.
Disney+ and Streaming Impact
Black Widow also drove significant Disney+ subscriber activity through Premier Access purchases. Disney later integrated the film into its streaming catalog as part of its content strategy to grow the platform. The move reflected broader industry trends of combining theatrical and streaming revenue for major releases SEC filings.
Legal Dispute and Compensation
Lawsuit Against Disney
In 2021, Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging breach of contract over the simultaneous streaming and theatrical release of Black Widow. The lawsuit claimed the hybrid release reduced her compensation tied to box office receipts. The dispute drew attention to how studios structure star pay in the streaming era.
Settlement and Earnings
Johansson and Disney settled the lawsuit privately in 2022. Reports indicated the settlement included a substantial payout, though neither party disclosed exact terms. Her total earnings from the Black Widow role and related Marvel projects are estimated in the hundreds of millions, combining film salaries, bonuses, and backend profits Forbes and public financial disclosures SEC.