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☆ Disney CEO Bob Iger's book hints at how he'll handle company's feud with Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Insider turned to Disney CEO Bob Iger's 2019 book for insight on how he navigates challenges. As Florida's largest attraction with more than 70,000 jobs, Walt Disney World is crucial to both the company and the state. During his first tenure at Disney, Iger orchestrated the $4 billion acquisition of Marvel without a single leak. Under predecessor Disney CEO Michael Eisner, board members said they worried that Marvel was "too edgy" and "would tarnish the Disney brand." File photo of Disney CEO Bob Iger.

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☆ Emotional Harrison Ford reflects on his years as Indiana Jones
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CANNES, May 19 (Reuters) - Harrison Ford teared up on Friday as he recalled his years playing Indiana Jones, after the Cannes premiere of what he has said will be his last outing in the blockbuster film franchise. "I love to work and I love this character and I love what it brought into my life," he told journalists at the festival. The new film, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny", pits the adventurous archaeologist against a former Nazi scientist, played by Mads Mikkelsen, who is searching for a dial that makes it possible to travel through time. That's what I looked like 35 years ago because Lucasfilm has every frame of film that we made together over all these year," Ford said. Ford, who first played Indiana Jones in 1981, told Total Film magazine last month that he would hang up the character's iconic bull whip and hat for good after this film, which will be released to wider audiences in late June.

☆ Summer movie preview 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Most moviegoers can pinpoint one summer movie – or perhaps, a summer of movies – in their formative years that really and truly cemented their love for going to the cinema, whether it be 1975’s “Jaws,” “E.T. And while streaming has clearly siphoned off part of the audience, particularly for more serious films, what we think of as “summer movies” still have the potential to rake in cash just like the old days. (CNN and DC are both part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Courtesy Warner Bros. PicturesInitially meant for streaming platforms, this vehicle will herald the cinematic arrival of DC Studios’ first Latino superhero, played by Xolo Maridueña of “Cobra Kai” and “Parenthood” fame. If the fast-paced trailer is any indication, the movie looks sure to whisk those dog days of summer doldrums away quite nicely.

☆ The Star Wars timeline: All movies and shows in chronological order
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as experts from outlets like USA Today and the AV Club. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’"Solo" shows how Han and Chewie became best friends. ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

☆ On 'Star Wars' day, Carrie Fisher receives posthumous star on Walk of Fame
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Rollo Ross | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A dress featuring actor Carrie Fisher as Star Wars character Princess Leia, is worn by her daughter Billie Lourd as she attends the posthumous unveiling of the star of Carrie Fisher, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 4, 2023. REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniLOS ANGELES, May 4 (Reuters) - May the 4th, the annual unofficial "Star Wars" day, was bittersweet for fans in Hollywood as Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher, who died at age 60 in 2016, received a posthumous star on the Walk of Fame on Thursday. Along with a large group of fans, "Star Wars" droids R2-D2 and C-3PO and a pair of Stormtroopers came to the ceremony, as did actor Mark Hamill, director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. "My mom is a double whammy, a Pez dispenser and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Watching her mother in "Star Wars" as Princess Leia changed Lourd's perception of her.

☆ 'Return of the Jedi' missteps: Five ways the 'Star Wars' sequel messed up, from a certain point of view
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

That’s in part because those shortcomings have echoed through the years, as subsequent “Star Wars” mythology has contorted itself, sometimes messily, in order to accommodate them. Still, Episode VI ill-served some of the original trilogy’s significant characters, in ways that have been debated across the decades, yielding the kind of arguments that have become one of the “Star Wars” franchise’s most renewable resources. Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in "Return of the Jedi," which was released in 1983. Lucasfilm/Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock“From a certain point of view.” Let’s stipulate that Anakin Skywalker “became” Darth Vader when he turned to the dark side. “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” will play in select theaters beginning April 28.

☆ 'The Mandalorian' season 3 finale review: 'The Return' hits the reset button (SPOILERS)
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers about the seventh episode of “The Mandalorian,” Season 3, “The Return.”CNN —To borrow a line from another Disney+ series, it’s been the Empire all along. It was the kind of cinematic sequence that would surely play well in the planned movie that will capitalize upon this timeline of the “Star Wars” universe. That said, after resolving the fate of Mandalore, the finale essentially hit the reset button on the show’s central premise in the form of happy ending. That involved formalizing the central duo’s bond by having the Mandalorian adopt Grogu, before assuming a new bounty-hunting role focused on pursuing Imperial remnants across the galaxy. Overall, to say the third season wasn’t always neat or pretty would be an understatement.

☆ 9 startups bringing AI tech to Netflix, Lucasfilm, Marvel, and more Hollywood studios — and attracting millions in VC funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

VCs and private equity have poured millions into startups bringing AI tech to film and TV production. AI startups disrupting Hollywood include MARZ and Wonder Dynamics, cofounded by "X Men" star Tye Sheridan. Investment in AI startups for entertainment is "blowing up right now," said Michael Blank, head of consumer investing at CAA. There are already AI tools that can write full scripts. Vendors and investors told Insider that over time, AI tools will change jobs, not replace them.

☆ Daisy Ridley to return as Rey in one of three new 'Star Wars' films
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Lisa Richwine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced the new projects in London at the annual Star Wars Celebration fan convention, where the actress took the stage to confirm her return to the blockbuster franchise. Disney purchased Star Wars producer Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion and released three hit films from 2015 to 2019 plus several TV series on the Disney+ streaming service. Fans had been waiting to hear where Star Wars would head on the big screen. The company had put a pause on new "Star Wars" movies after "Rise of Skywalker." It will be led by Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau, the team behind the popular Star Wars TV series "The Mandalorian."

☆ Watch live: Jon Favreau talks streaming, storytelling and 'The Mandalorian'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Nearly four years ago, Disney's streaming service Disney+ launched with a new Star Wars series called "The Mandalorian." Helmed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the western-inspired sci-fi show captivated audiences and launched a new era of Star Wars storytelling. Now in its third season, "The Mandalorian" has inspired Disney and Lucasfilm to invest in more live-action and animated long-form content in the Star Wars universe. On Tuesday, Favreau, also known for starring in "Swingers" and "PCU," as well as directing the first two "Iron Man" movies, sits down with CNBC's Carl Quintanilla to talk streaming, storytelling and crafting this new generation of Star Wars.

☆ These 8 startups are bringing AI technology to Netflix, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and more — and attracting millions in VC funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

VCs and private equity have poured millions into AI startups seeking to disrupt film and TV production. Startups making waves in Hollywood AI include MARZ and Deep Voodoo, founded by the creators of "South Park." Generative AI has spawned a raft of tools with real-life applications to Hollywood — and VCs are getting in on the action. There are already AI tools that can write full scripts. Vendors and investors told Insider that over time, AI tools will change jobs, not replace them.

☆ Steven Spielberg's latest film 'The Fabelmans' could win Best Picture at this month's Academy Awards. Here are his top 10 most popular films.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Paramount Pictures Worldwide box office: $603.9 million ($925 million, adjusted for inflation) Total domestic box office: $234.3 million Domestic opening weekend: $64.9 million Budget: $132 million 9. Paramount Studios Worldwide box office: $474.2 million ($1.1 billion, adjusted for inflation) Total domestic box office: $197.2 million Domestic opening weekend: $29.4 million Budget: $48 million 7. Paramount Pictures Worldwide box office: $790.7 million ($1.1 billion, adjusted for inflation) Total domestic box office: $317.1 million Domestic opening weekend: $100.1 million Budget: $185 million 6. Universal Worldwide box office: $618.6 million ($1.15 billion, adjusted for inflation) Total domestic box office: $229.1 million Domestic opening weekend: $72.1 million Budget: $73 million 5. Universal Worldwide box office: $792.9 million ($2.5 billion, adjusted for inflation) Total domestic box office: $437.1 million Domestic opening weekend: $11.8 million Budget: $10.5 million 1.

"This reorganization will result in a more cost-effective, coordinated approach to our operations," Iger told analysts on a conference call. Disney earlier reported its first quarterly decrease in subscriptions for its Disney+ streaming media unit, which lost more than $1 billion. Iger also repositioned the company to capitalize on the streaming revolution, acquiring 21st Century Fox's film and television assets in 2019 and launching the Disney+ streaming service that fall. Now, Iger will seek to put Disney's streaming business on a path to growth and profitability. It reorganized its business in 2018 to accelerate the growth of its streaming business, and again in 2020, to further spur streaming's growth.

☆ Inside the Disney drama as CEO Bob Iger announces massive layoffs and a reorg that dismantles the structure under predecessor Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Bob Iger returned to Disney as CEO in November, ending Bob Chapek's rocky tenure. In one of the most dramatic reversals in corporate history, the Walt Disney Co. board reinstated Bob Iger as CEO in November, ousting his predecessor Bob Chapek. Disney had just reported a $1.5 billion loss in its streaming business on a November 8 earnings call. Wall Street faulted him for waiting until after the 3Q earnings call to announce that layoffs were planned, for example. Disney, which in December launched its own ad-supported Disney+ offering, has enjoyed strong streaming growth, but Wall Street cares more about profitability now.

☆ Disney CEO Bob Iger wastes no time putting turnaround plans in place after a solid quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Bottom Line The Disney quarter had a lot to offer for the bulls. In the current quarter, management expects operating results to improve by $200 million, pegging losses at around $800 million, which is in line with estimates on Factset. By extension, Disney is reorganizing into three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, an ESPN division, and a Parks, Experiences and Products unit. Iger wants Disney to be more efficient, and he believes this overhaul will make for a more cost-effective and streamlined approach to its operations. Bob Iger, former CEO, The Walt Disney Company Scott Mlyn | CNBC

Iger said he would reorganize the company into three segments: an entertainment unit that encompasses film, television and streaming; a sports-focused ESPN unit; and Disney parks, experiences and products. "This reorganization will result in a more cost-effective, coordinated approach to our operations," Iger told analysts on a conference call. Disney earlier reported its first quarterly decrease in subscriptions for its Disney+ streaming media unit which lost more than $1 billion. Now, Iger will seek to put Disney's streaming business on a path to growth and profitability. It reorganized its business in 2018 to accelerate the growth of its streaming business, and again in 2020, to further spur streaming's growth.

☆ Disney rips Peltz over board fight, defends Iger's acquisitions
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Disney ripped Nelson Peltz and his bid for a board seat Tuesday, as the entertainment giant's proxy fight with the investor and his activist firm, Trian Fund Management, takes shape. Disney said in a securities filing Tuesday that its board was where it needed to be to move the company forward. Last week, Peltz laid out his case for a proxy fight with Disney on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" after Trian filed a preliminary proxy statement looking for a seat on the board. Peltz raised issues with how shareholder value has eroded recently and Disney's $71 billion acquisition of Fox in 2019. The company said it had offered Peltz an information-sharing agreement, meaning he would have met quarterly with both management and the board, rather than a board observer role, as Peltz had said.

☆ A battle between Disney and activist Peltz brews. Here’s how the situation may unfold
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Disney offered Peltz, founding partner of Trian Fund Management, a role as a board observer and asked him to sign a standstill agreement, which Peltz declined. Offer of a board observer positionSometimes a board observer position can be beneficial, particularly for investors who do not have a lot of board experience and are less likely to be a regular contributor to board discussions. But offering Peltz a position as a board observer is like saying to Whitney Houston, "You can join the band, but you are not allowed to sing." It is curious as to why Peltz started this proxy fight in the first place and why Disney is resisting it. Peltz acquired his position when Bob Chapek was CEO and likely had a plan to replace him with someone Peltz had already identified.

☆ Disney board exposed itself to activist intervention, but Peltz may be overreaching
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Disney's share price spike in 2021 was caused by the same phenomenon — investors charging into streaming services with significant subscriber growth. Activist investor Nelson Peltz spent about 30 minutes Thursday morning speaking with CNBC's Jim Cramer and David Faber in a wide-ranging interview about why he wants a Disney board seat. Now Iger's back, and the Disney board has tasked him with finding a successor in the next two years. It's a far easier case to be made that Disney's board and Iger have consistently bungled succession planning. As Trian noted in its presentation (on Slide 28), the Disney board extended Iger's retirement date five different times between October 2011 and December 2017.

☆ Inside the Disney drama as CEO Bob Iger returns, replacing protege Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Bob Iger returned to Disney as CEO in November, ending Bob Chapek's rocky tenure. In one of the most dramatic reversals in corporate history, the Walt Disney Co. board reinstated Bob Iger as CEO in November, ousting his predecessor Bob Chapek. Disney had just reported a $1.5 billion loss in its streaming business on a November 8 earnings call. Wall Street faulted him for waiting until after the 3Q earnings call to announce that layoffs were planned, for example. Read more about what Disney, Hollywood, and Iger expect from Iger:

☆ Disney should spin off ESPN and ABC, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Paul R. La Monica | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But one Wall Street analyst has an idea for how Disney could get back on track. Wells Fargo’s Steven Cahall thinks Disney should spin off cable sports giant ESPN and traditional TV network ABC… two slow-growth (and some would argue, dying) businesses. Cahall wrote in his report that “we think Bob Iger is returning to {Disney] ready to make big changes. ESPN, in theory, may have an easier time negotiating with sports leagues as part of a pure play media network. “We think ESPN and ABC are integrally linked as the broadcast [network] improves negotiations in sports rights, and we’re seeing more of those sports on both networks,” he wrote.

☆ Disney stock has plunged 45% this year, putting it on track for its worst performance in nearly 5 decades
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Disney stock is down 45% this year and on track for its worst annual performance since 1974. The shares have been hit by pandemic disruptions, management issues, and the wider market downturn. The painful selloff has erased about $200 billion from Disney's market capitalization since March 2021. Yet investors have balked at the streaming service's rising costs, which fueled a hefty $1.5 billion operating loss in Disney's streaming division last quarter. Disney stock has also been caught up in a wider market downturn.

☆ 12 media executives anonymously predict 2023's biggest deals, trends and changes
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Candle Media has acquired intellectual property assets including Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine production company and Moonbug, which owns the animated kids series "CoComelon." Executive 3: Iger extends his contract There's been lots of speculation over who Iger will choose as his successor. History suggests he has a hard time leaving the role of Disney CEO. Christine M. McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer The Walt Disney Company. "I love Shari [Redstone], but ViacomCBS is not long for this world as it stands today," said a media executive last year.

☆ 6 key Disney executives working with Bob Iger to remake former CEO Bob Chapek's business structure
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Lucia Moses | Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Disney CEO Bob Iger has returned to a company facing significant pressures on its linear and streaming businesses. He'll also need to unwind the business structure implemented in 2020 by his short-lived predecessor, Bob Chapek — which separated budgeting and distribution decisions from creative content development. Alan Bergman, chairman, Disney Studios ContentAlan Bergman. Disney Interactive/Reuters/Jonathan AlcornPitaro is close to Iger, has a long tenure at Disney, and has a foot in both creative and business sides. Dana Walden, chairman, Disney General Entertainment ContentDana Walden.

☆ Patty Jenkins breaks silence on ‘Wonder Woman 3’
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Patty Jenkins has some things she would like to clear up. The director posted a lengthy note on social media to have her say after reports that DC FIlms (which is owned by CNN’s parent company) would not be moving ahead with a third installment of the “Wonder Woman” franchise. “It was my understanding there was nothing I could do to move anything forward at this time. Jenkins also wrote that she does not want “what has been a beautiful journey with WW to land on negative note.”“I have loved and been so honored to be the person who got to make these last two Wonder Woman films. I can attest that all of Peter and my interactions with you were only pleasant and professional.

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