Something strange is going on behind the scenes at The Walt Disney Company. In addition to relative radio silence on the Kathleen Kennedy contract extension situation at Lucasfilm, it is clear that someone somewhere is gunning for CEO Bob Chapek. A Hollywood Reporter article by Kim Masters is out, featuring plenty of insider direct quotes, not to mention dialogue from former CEO, Bob Iger. To say the article is unflattering to Chapek would be an understatement.
Bob Iger Warned Disney Executives To Not Let Data Influence Creative Decisions as Chapek Took Power, Tom Staggs Sabotaged, and More from Disney’s CEO Transition Discussed in New Hollywood Reporter Piecehttps://t.co/xenwlbgXFV
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) October 6, 2021
So why would The Hollywood Reporter run such a slanted article in which there are very few voices defending Bob Chapek? Given that the trades are there to direct entertainment industry narratives, it would seem that Mr. Chapek has stepped on some serious toes. Or is it that he’s an outsider that is dnot welcome to join the club? Either way, just take a look at some of these quotes to see what’s being attempted. And remember as you read them, you would never see this written about Bob Iger — he’s too connected, too sacrosanct.
One Disney veteran — not a Chapek fan — compares a lunch with Iger to a lunch with Chapek. ‘A conversation with Iger was, ‘Where can I help you? Did you watch this new Icelandic thriller on Netflix? I just finished this book about Churchill.’ Bob Chapek is all about business. He sits at lunch, there is 60 seconds of small talk about his home in Key West, and then it’s all Bob sending messages about how things are going great. He is on-message.” — Anonymous Source, The Hollywood Reporter
“The industry believed Tom Staggs had been anointed when he was named COO in February of that year, but if so, Iger changed his mind, and Staggs departed in April 2016. (Sources say Staggs heard from associates that Chapek had actively undermined him. Staggs declined to comment.)” — Kim Masters
Clearly Bob Chapek has made some enemies. Don’t discount that if the Lucasfilm situation goes south, he’s about to make more. Yet with so many fans wanting rid of Kathleen Kennedy, there’s literally no choice Chapek can make that won’t be to his detriment. That’s not to say Kathleen Kennedy should stay; only that the absence of an announcement and the presence of trade publication “hit pieces” are a sign that Bob Chapek is making big decisions in an industry that doesn’t want him there.
https://twitter.com/disneyglimpses/status/1445789504279912448
If Bob Chapek is to remain in power and free of the ankle biting that could bring him down to his detractors’ level, he’ll need success… and a lot of it. The Walt Disney World 50th programs are not a good sign. The messy feud with Scarlett Johansson is not a good sign. But he’s held onto power through the pandemic, at a time when many thought he was the fall-guy. So there’s something to be said for that. Now let’s see if he can survive Kathleen Kennedy. The fact a public announcement has yet to occur about Lucasfilm’s future is a pretty good indicator he’s chewing on the situation.