Industry rumors have recently connected Scarlett Johansson to a potential change in project involvement involving Disney’s Tangled and The Batman: Part II. It seems as though Johansson stepped away from portraying a live-action version of the Disney villain Mother Gothel in favor of other projects. These include an unknown role in the Batman sequel, as well as a reboot of The Exorcist.
Current rumors suggest Johansson will portray Gilda Dent, the wife of Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s district attorney turned villain.
Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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In The Long Halloween, Gilda is a quiet but pivotal character. She is loving and supportive of Harvey’s crusade against Gotham’s crime families, yet increasingly isolated as his obsession with justice and the Holiday murders consumes him. Gilda struggles with loneliness, fear, and guilt, and the story suggests her emotional distance and inner turmoil play a subtle role in the tragedy that unfolds.
By the end, she represents the personal cost of Harvey’s transformation into the villainous Two-Face and the way good intentions can fracture a family.
Potential Reasons behind Johansson’s Disney Departure
Although neither Johansson nor the Dinsey company have commented on her rumored shift away from a Disney live-action, the move is not surprising given the tension between her and the company.
Johansson is perhaps most famous for her repeated role as Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow. She acted in seven films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before getting her own titular film in 2021.
(L-R): Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Taskmaster in Marvel Studios‘ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
In July 2021, Scarlett Johansson sued The Walt Disney Company, claiming that the simultaneous release of Black Widow in theaters and on Disney+ (with Premier Access) breached her contract.
Her deal with Marvel/Disney was structured so that a large portion of her compensation came from box-office bonuses tied to a traditional theatrical release. Johansson argued that making the film available at home the same day as its theatrical debut cut into ticket sales and deprived her of millions she otherwise would have earned.
Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled – YouTube, Walt Disney Animation Studios
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Disney responded by calling the lawsuit “without merit” and criticized the timing amid the 2021 lockdowns while noting Johansson had already been paid an upfront fee.
The dispute was settled later in 2021 under undisclosed terms; reports suggested Johansson received a substantial payout (around $40 million) and the two parties emphasized they looked forward to continuing to work together.
Conclusion
With Johansson’s name is reportedly no longer associated with the project, only time will tell who will take on the villainous role for the upcoming Disney live-action Tangled remake. With filming set to start next year, official casting decisions are likely to be released soon.
(L-R): Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Yelena (Florence Pugh) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
In the meantime, looks like Johansson may be jumping comic universes from the MCU to the DC Universe.
Who would you like to see cast in the upcoming Tangled live-action? Are you excited for this live-action, or are you feeling remake fatigue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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