Resignation Bob Iger from the post of general director of the company Disney This week thundered like a bolt from the blue. And now the main question is: what awaits the corporation Mickey mouse and its units further?
Not a sudden maneuver
It should be immediately noted that the resignation of Iger was not a surprise, for he had long planned a smooth change of power in the studio. According to preliminary data, the former head of Disney has presidential ambitions, but he intends to compete for the post of head of the United States in the next electoral cycle, when Donald trump will no longer be in competition. However, the plans had to be partially revised due to the difficult acquisition of the company 20th Century Fox.
In addition, Iger has not gone anywhere yet. He took over as chairman of the board of directors, focusing on creative control. This means that the main powers will be transferred to the new CEO Bob Chapek, but his work will be personally controlled by Eiger, acting as a mentor.
The rise of повышениеapek himself looks rather strange, given the unsatisfactory performance of the theme parks sector, which he oversaw. Analysts had expected the management of the company to be entrusted to the chairman of consumer relations and international development. Kevin Mayerwho was responsible for the purchase Pixar, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox, as well as for the launch of the streaming platform Disney +.
Bob Iger’s maneuver is associated with his leadership style and personal beliefs. At one time, the top manager had to fight for the post of head of Disney, and he was constantly reminded of the mistakes of the previous boss Michael Eisner. Iger considers it wrong when a subordinate is blamed for all the sins of leadership, so he gives a person a chance to prove himself.
Bob Iger’s contract expires in 2023, although it may well be extended if necessary. Until this time, he will control Chapek, who in case of failure can always be replaced. And having freed up the schedule, the ex-head will be able to focus on solving other problems, one of which is Lucasflim.
The Star Wars Challenge
Buying from George Lucas franchise “star Wars“, Mickey Mouse paid 4.05 billion dollars. It was too much: analysts estimated the cost of Lucasfilm to be much lower, since the studio had no significant projects in development at that time. However, Lucas did not want to accept that his brainchild is inferior Marvel. As a result, Bob Iger agreed to overpay for the asset.
Disney was determined to recapture costs as soon as possible by making a number of tough decisions. At first it paid off: the film “The awakening of power“raised more than two billion dollars, giving rise to a new surge in interest in the franchise. However Ryan Johnson and hisThe Last Jedi“crossed out all efforts, and”Han Solo” Ron Howard became a resounding commercial failure. Added to this is the catastrophic drop in toy-related revenue and the disappointing launch of a theme park Galaxy’s Edge.
And here we come across the figure of the head of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy, which is responsible for the main mistakes in managing the franchise and the studio. Her contract expires in 2023, but persistent rumors are circulating that a change of power in Lucasflim is coming in the coming months. This is superimposed by information about the quarrel between Kennedy and showrunners “Mandalorian” John Favreau and Dave Filoniwho allegedly forbade their immediate boss to appear on the set of the second season of the series.
Do not forget to freeze the production of series about Obi-Wan Kenobi and Cassianne andore. And the announcement of the launch of the initiative Star Wars: The High Republic It looks like a deliberate failure, because it is not planned to support films and series.
You need to understand that early termination of the contract can provoke a major conflict, given the current situation in Hollywood. Kathleen Kennedy is one of the few women executives to hold such a high position than repeatedly trumped in Disney. But her incompetence is too expensive for the media giant.
Feint mouse ears
As the famous video blog transmits Midnight’s edge referring to insiders, the head of Lucasfilm made it clear that if the cause of dismissal would be the SJW-policy promoted by her, then it would unveil some incriminating evidence that would put Mickey Mouse Corporation in a negative light. What is meant specifically is not specified, but Bob Iger is clearly not interested in such demarches.
At the same time, if necessary, Disney is ready to fire women managers, which proved the case Katherine Powell. She served as president Disney parks west, but last year the post was liquidated, which is associated with the failure of the Galaxy’s Edge fleet.
However, there is a fundamental difference: Powell received all the payments due to her and avoided harsh statements to the employer. Kennedy is fashioned from a completely different text. In 2018, it was her team that organized the leak of information in the media about the extension of the contract until 2023, although Disney management did not want to advertise this.
And then we return to Bob Iger. By moving to the post of chairman of the board of directors, he will be able to devote more time to overseeing the activities of Lucasfilm. And his resignation robs Kennedy of all his trump cards. The dismissal of the head of the studio can be submitted as a decision by Bob Chapek, who in any case initiates a restructuring within Disney in accordance with his strategy.
Resignations are inevitable in any case, and it is possible that Kathleen Kennedy will not find a place in the new version of Mickey Mouse Corporation.
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