New clues about Disney’s next leader?
While most fans are more curious about new films on the horizon and the billions of dollars in new theme park announcements made at the D23 Ultimate Fan Event, arguably the most important decision about Disney’s future is being made in California boardrooms: Who is going to follow Bob Iger as Disney CEO?
Earlier this month, it was announced that James Gorman — a veteran Wall Street banker and member of the Disney Board of Directors — would become that board’s chairman in January 2025. The move was seen by many as a precursor to the process of determining who would follow Bob Iger as the company’s CEO.
Gorman confirmed as much himself in a press release, which read in part, “A critical priority before us is to appoint a new C.E.O., which we now expect to announce in early 2026. This timing reflects the progress the succession planning committee and the board are making and will allow ample time for a successful transition.”
Now, a new report from The Wrap has shed further light on the race for the position. According to the publication, “The race as it currently stands seems to be narrowing on an executive from Disney’s creative ranks, which means the co-chairs of Disney Entertainment — Dana Walden and Alan Bergman — have the early lead. Walden, who clearly has the leading position, would be Disney’s first female CEO in its 101-year history.”
Furthermore, the Wrap reports that former longtime Disney executives Tom Staggs and Kevin Mayer (both of whom returned to Disney last year as consultants with their private equity firm Candle Media) are NOT seen as succession candidates for the position.
The issue of succession is a defining one for Bob Iger. Despite a nearly 15-year-run as CEO that saw the massively successful acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Fox, the failure of Iger’s first handpicked successor Bob Chapek — one so spectacular that Iger himself had to step back into the position in a power-move akin to those seen on prestige cable dramas — currently looms large over his legacy. Iger signed a contract extension last year that extends through the end of 2026, presumably allowing for a smooth transition to his next attempt at a handpicked successor.
The drama over who will be Disney’s next CEO and attempt to lead the company into a new era amid a changing media landscape is only just heating up, and it seems like we still have over a year before we gain a clear picture of what’s to come. Stay tuned to AllEars for further coverage of Disney’s CEO search.
“We Just Have to Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen Again” — Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on His Successor
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
Are you invested in Disney’s CEO search? Let us know in the comments below.
Yes I’m invested as a Disney stock holder.
I am a Disney Stockholder, We need someone who is really gonna look after Disney. It seems it is no longer for families to come to Disney unless , you have plenty of money. I hope that can change; Walt would want kids to come here ; rich or poor!