DisneyMarvel actress Scarlett Johansson hit back on Thursday after Widow filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Company for posting "Black Widow" on Disney+.

Scarlett claims that she has been guaranteed the film's exclusive cinema release, and that most of her income is linked to the film's box office performance.

"this prosecution is of no value," Walt Disney Company said in a statement. The lawsuit is particularly sad and painful because it mercilessly ignores the terrible and long-term global impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. "

The company added: "Walt Disney Company has fully complied with Ms. Johnson's contract, and the Black Widow's release of Walt Disney Company + and Premier Access has greatly improved her ability to add additional income to the $20 million she has received so far."

According to Scarlett's lawsuit, her representative asked for guarantees that "the Black Widow" would be released in theaters as early as 2019, when there were concerns that Walt Disney Company executives might use the film to enrich her new streaming service Disney+.

Johnson's lawsuit quoted Marvel's general counsel as saying that "the Black Widow" would be released like other Marvel movies in the Universe. In other words, it will be shown in cinemas before entering the home video market.

Marvel's general counsel promised: "We understand that if the plan changes, we need to discuss and agree with you because the deal is based on a series of [very large] box office bonuses." The promise came months before the pandemic disrupted the cinema industry and forced studios to change their distribution strategies.

Scarlett's complaint alleges that she tried to negotiate with Marvel as soon as she heard that Black Widow would be released on streaming and cinemas on the same day. Neither Walt Disney Company nor Marvel responded.

It is not clear how much Scarlett will be paid for the film, or whether the $20 million claimed by Walt Disney Company includes the film's current box office.