One of the low points of Bob Chapek’s tenure as CEO was The Walt Disney Company’s very public feud with Marvel star Scarlet Johansson.
The troubles began during the COVID-19 pandemic when Disney decided to release Black Widow simultaneously on Disney+ and in theaters.
Photo: Disney Plus
Per Johnasson’s contract, however, the actress was to be paid based on the film’s box office take. With the Disney+ release severely cutting into Black Widow’s box-office prospects, Johannson was incensed.
As it turns out, the brewing conflict between Disney and one of its biggest stars shined a spotlight on the growing tension between former Disney CEO Bob Iger and his successor Bob Chapek.
Neither Chapek Nor Iger Took Control
According to a report from CNBC, Bob Chapek felt that the issue was with creative talent and thus Bob Iger should handle the problem in his role as Executive Chairman. Iger, meanwhile, saw the problem as a contract dispute, and thus something Chapek should deal with as CEO.
Photo: CNBC
After Johannson sued Disney over Black Widow’s release, Disney held a virtual meeting where Bob Iger was in attendance but did not speak. Iger reportedly thought the meeting was “amateur hour” and “run by children.” According to the report, the former Disney CEO thought there were far too many people giving input on how to handle the situation.
The Infamous Statement
Eventually, Disney decided to release a statement accusing Johansson of “a callous disregard for the horrific prolonged global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Photo: Variety
It was a statement that sent waves through Hollywood, but also one that neither Bob was in favor of. While both Iger and Chapek objected to the wording of the statement, neither one stopped it. Both still felt it was the other one’s problem.
Disney and Johansson would eventually settle the lawsuit and there seems to be no bad blood between the actress and the studio.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The incident serves as a prime example, however, of the dysfunction in Disney during Chapek’s tenure as CEO, and the passive-aggressive way that Iger left his successor out to dry.
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