Bob Iger Reveals One “Critical” Reason Josh D’Amaro Was Chosen for Disney CEO

Disney’s next era is starting to come into focus, and this interview made that feel very real.

Josh D’Amaro has been one of the most visible faces of Disney’s theme park leadership, and now he’s officially been tapped as Iger’s successor. Their Good Morning America sit-down gave a fascinating glimpse into how Disney is thinking about risk, expansion, and what’s coming next.

It’s not every day you get to watch the future of The Walt Disney Company unfold in real time, but that’s exactly what happened during Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro’s recent sit-down interview with Good Morning America.

With D’Amaro’s newly announced appointment as Iger’s successor, the conversation felt like more than just a media appearance. It was a glimpse into what Disney leadership might look like in its next chapter as equal parts legacy, ambition, and a very real awareness of the weight that comes with steering one of the most influential entertainment companies in the world.

And D’Amaro didn’t shy away from that pressure.

Sitting beside Iger, he admitted, “It is a bit intimidating,” which was both honest and relatable, because…yes, following Bob Iger would be intimidating for anyone. But what stood out immediately is that D’Amaro doesn’t seem interested in simply maintaining the status quo. He emphasized that he shares something in common with Iger — boldness.

“Bob’s a big risk taker, I’m a big risk taker, and that’s been true my whole life,” he said, a line that feels especially telling when you look at the scale of what Disney is pursuing right now.

That theme of ambition came up again when the conversation turned to Disney’s recent announcement of its Abu Dhabi project. D’Amaro framed it as a reflection of the company moving quickly and confidently: “We did that quickly, and we did it ambitiously.” Iger echoed that same sense of possibility, describing standing on the site and imagining what could be built there: “You look at the water, and you look at the sand… and you dream big — big ambition — and you think, well, we can do this.”

But the interview wasn’t only about expansion. It also touched on one of the most complicated conversations Disney (and honestly, every creative industry) is facing right now: artificial intelligence.

Interviewer David Muir pointed out that AI worries many people, especially when it comes to protecting the artists and creators behind Disney’s characters. Iger’s response was striking, and it revealed why D’Amaro was chosen: “One of the reasons Josh was chosen for this position…[is that he] views technology as an opportunity and not a threat.” He added a blunt comment: “No generation of human being has ever been able to stand in the way of technological advance…it happens.”

Still, D’Amaro was clear that Disney’s magic cannot be automated. “In my mind that never gets replaced. This isn’t even theory anymore, this is real,” he said, while also noting that Cast Members are already engaging with new tools with “They have embraced AI.”

The interview also highlighted the leadership team being built around this transition happening on March 18th, including Dana Walden, the next President and Chief Creative Officer of TWDC, who D’Amaro called “an incredibly powerful executive,” describing their dynamic as a “very powerful partnership” and “absolutely the right step to continue to push us into this next frontier.”

And then there was Iger himself, reflecting on what stepping away might feel like. “You can’t just turn the switch off one day…but I’m just looking forward to quieter moments and quieter days, a little more room in my life.” Of course, Muir couldn’t resist replying, “Well, we know Bob Iger, it’s not going to be too quiet.”

D’Amaro closed with perhaps the most honest line of all: “Of course I feel the weight on my shoulders — I should feel it.”

And that might be what makes this transition feel so significant. Disney isn’t pretending this is easy. They’re acknowledging the stakes and signaling that the next era will be ambitious, tech-aware, and led by someone who understands both the magic and the responsibility to lead.

If you’d like to see more of their interview with David Muir of Good Morning America, you can see it here.

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We’re eager to see how The Walt Disney Company will continue to change and grow as both D’Amaro and Walden harness their newly appointed positions with the company, and how quickly we’ll see these projects, dreams, and more come together. Stay tuned with us right here at AllEars for the latest in Disney news, updates, and more!

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