Joe Russo, the co-director of Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018), recently spoke of the tension and fallout surrounding the dishonored release of Black Widow (2021) and the trial that followed.
Credit: Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons
We previously reported that Scarlett Johansson sued Disney for $ 50 million, citing breach of contract. Basically, Johansson and his team made it clear that Black Widow could only be released in theaters, as the majority of his salary would be based on box office performance.
Obviously this did not happen because Black Widow was released simultaneously on Disney + Premier Access (with an additional price tag of $ 29.99) as well as in theaters during the outbreak of the pandemic. A lot of people have blamed Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who you can read here.
Credit: Marvel Studios
Joe Russo spoke with Variety about the lawsuit, saying it’s unfortunate that this must have happened publicly, but also suggesting it could be a major breakthrough for the actors, actresses and crew involved in making Hollywood blockbusters. Even Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige was embarrassed by the whole situation.
Credit: Disney
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe) had come to a roadblock with Marvel because they weren’t sure what the pay and cast for the next movie they would be directing was. Russo declined to speak about the situation, citing that it was inappropriate to discuss something that is still pending.
Russo did however speak to Variety how happy he is that the trial is over and how this is a turning point in a workforce revolution that can be felt at national scale.
“I’m glad the lawsuit is resolved. I think it was indicative of an important change that was taking place. The resolution speaks volumes about respect for artists who move forward in this changing landscape.
“Businesses are panicking right now, because I think half the studios are going to be gone in the next 5-10 years, and the game has changed dramatically.”
“There are content producers who can spend more than any studio, and that’s just rounding off for them, because they’re $ 1,000 billion companies. We have never seen this before in the company.
Credit: Marvel Studios
At this time, we don’t officially know if or when the Russo Brothers will return to Marvel Studios. Hopefully they are able to settle their differences and make more box office success like they have done together before.
Credit: Marvel Studios
Would you like to see the Russo Brothers make another Marvel or Disney blockbuster? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
