Disney Film Shake-Up: New Leaders, Old Questions

Disney Experiences chairman Josh D'Amaro has officially been named CEO, and Dana Walden is now President and Chief Creative Officer. This transition has sparked discussions regarding the future direction of the company's film division. While Walden's expertise in television and talent relations is recognized, and she shares a strong working relationship with film leader Alan Bergman, the film side will now report to her.

Bergman will continue to oversee key film leaders, including David Greenbaum for live-action and 20th Century, and Kevin Feige for Marvel Studios. Insiders hope D'Amaro's charismatic approach will resonate with the film community, recalling his resemblance to Bob Iger. Yet, concerns about repeating the missteps of former CEO Bob Chapek, who clashed with the film community and favored Disney+ over theatrical releases, remain.

Chapek's tenure, which included a public dispute with Scarlett Johansson over "Black Widow," led to his exit and Iger's return. Since then, Disney has re-embraced theatrical releases, reasserting its position as the top studio at the box office, achieving nearly $6.6 billion worldwide in 2025. This success was highlighted during Disney's Q1 2026 earnings call.

Questions persist about leadership within specific divisions, particularly Marvel, which has not seen executive changes since Iger's return, unlike Lucasfilm and Greenbaum's promotion. Kevin Feige's future is a topic of speculation, though he is reportedly focused on upcoming projects like the next Avengers movie and the X-Men franchise relaunch.