The Walt Disney Company (DIS) is preparing for the most watched casting decision of the decade: Who will replace Bob Iger in 2026? After decades of Disney power plays, Iger's final act as CEO will hand over the keys to the Magic Kingdom—and this time, the board got it right. The previous saga of the Disney sequel just came out Succession-but it's a little sweeter. Iger led Disney for decades, first becoming president in 2000 before taking over as CEO in 2005. In 2020, Bob Chapek took the reigns from Iger, but after the COVID-19 and heated broadcasting wars against other media groups, the board went back. , bringing Iger back in 2022 to right the ship.
Although it is understood that Iger's return is temporary, there is no one to replace him and it is clear that he is being groomed by the executive to take his place. Now 73, Iger's contract expires in December 2026, after it was extended again last summer. Hiring has long been a hot topic at the entertainment giant. During Iger's first tenure as CEO, he postponed his retirement several times, and potential successors such as former Chief Operating Officer Tom Staggs left the company in frustration. After stepping down in 2020, Iger continued as chairman of the company and Chapek was not given a place on the board. In an unusual arrangement, Chapek was expected to report directly to both Iger and the board, while Iger continued to work out of an office reserved for Disney CEOs.
Disney chairman Mark Parker is leading the way in avoiding another round of music CEOs, and he has a high-powered team in his corner, including incoming Chairman James Gorman of Morgan Stanley and heavyweights like Calvin McDonald of Lululemon and Mary Barra of General Motors. While Disney hasn't confirmed any contenders, here are a few executives the iconic company could land one of the tightest gigs in media.
Disney Insiders
- Dana Walden is one of Disney's most influential players in the Hollywood arena, and his journey parallels Iger's own rise through the network's ranks. As co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, he commands an empire of TV programming and streaming, and has connections and a creative archive to show for it. Walden cut his teeth at Fox, where he turned it into an Emmy-collecting machine. His move to Disney's purchase of 21st Century Fox raised eyebrows, but also strengthened Disney's hold on the TV landscape. The big question is whether five years at Disney qualifies him for royalty. At 59, Walden could become Disney's first female CEO—if she can convince the board that her Hollywood translates into a diverse Disney empire.
- If Walden is an outsider turned inward, Alan Bergman it's pure Disney DNA. Bergman started at Disney in 1996 and rose to the position of chairman of Disney Entertainment alongside Walden, overseeing the mega-franchises—Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm—that define Disney today. He is the creator behind some of the highest grossing films of all time, since Avengers: Endgame to Avatar: The Path of
Water . If Disney is looking for a leader who understands its cinematic soul, Bergman is the obvious choice. Yet Bergman's laser focus on film can be a fault. He's a strong hand, sure, but Disney's future is more complicated than box office numbers. With streaming and digital on the frontlines, Bergman may need to prove he's ready to steer Disney into unchartered waters. - Josh D'Amaro is the golden boy of Disney's Parks and Resorts division. Starting as a top employee in 1998, he is now responsible for 180,000 employees, a $60 billion expansion of Disney parks, and the company's 2024 revenue—60 percent of which comes from his field. D'Amaro has fan appeal and financial results on his side. The challenge? D'Amaro's knowledge of film and TV is minimal; in Iger's eyes, streaming remains Disney's biggest growth engine. Disney's streaming service has reached its first profitable quarter in 2024, although it is still shy of Netflix's numbers. D'Amaro is a theme park legend, but whether he can navigate the Disney media ranks to compete on a global scale is a different question.
- Jimmy Pitaromastermind of ESPN, is no stranger to corporate rebirth. Since taking over ESPN in 2018, he has brought the network back from declining ratings, secured the NFL's biggest 11-year contract, and launched a direct-to-consumer service that will debut in 2025. Now that ESPN is a digital powerhouse, Pitaro has gained momentum. chops for Disney's broadcast ambitions, not to mention crossover experience from his time preparing Disney consumer products. But can the sports guy rule Disney? His experience managing the marketing juggernauts of Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars helps his case. Pitaro's approach was unconventional, but he proved that he could drive Disney's business from multiple angles.
Beyond the Titans: Some brilliant alternatives
The process of Disney's sequel was a classic one. While insiders are the safest choice, the board could go wrong, given Disney's current crosshairs. With Disney's stock down nearly 50 percent from 2021 and legacy networks like ABC losing importance, the company may look to Silicon Valley or Hollywood for fresh air.
- YouTube CEO Neal Mohan just took the crown of America's most-watched television network—taking down Disney itself. Bringing in a tech executive with his digital and advertising expertise will show that Disney is serious about competing in the tech giants' space. Mohan's experience may make him a bold, game-changing decision, but his tech-centric background would be a seismic shift in Disney's entertainment-driven CEO role.
- If Disney wants to remain the king of the castle of content, with one tap of its own Netflix Co-CEOs, Ted Sarandos and Greg Petersit might be a game. Sarandos built Netflix into a cultural juggernaut, while Peters focused on international expansion and growth. Both could bring a heavy-hitting streaming strategy to Disney—something investors may crave after years of Disney+ growing pains.
- Netflix's head of content is Bela BajariaThe track record includes big hits like these Stranger Things, Squid game again Bridgerton. He has proven his ability to choose global crowd pleasers, who fit well with Disney's scale and ambition. Bajaria's unique background combining content programming with international appeal makes her an outstanding choice—if Disney is ready to embrace an outside-the-box visionary.
- Netflix film executive Dan Lin's portfolio speaks for itself: he's the brains behind it The LEGO Movie again Sherlock Holmesand a Hollywood producer with experience on both sides of the studio equation. Bringing Lin in would mean greater creative energy and franchise-building expertise—skills that Disney could use as it navigates its legacy franchises and expands its IP. Lin will be bold yet strategic, marrying Disney's history with future-oriented storytelling.
What's Next for Disney?
As Disney considers its next move, the question is whether it needs an insider to carry on Iger's vision or an outsider to shake things up. This is not just any donation; it's a defining moment for Disney's brand, legacy and future. With Iger retiring in December 2026, Disney's board could either keep Iger's legacy or move on to something entirely new. Whoever steps up will need more than a solid resume—they'll need the foresight to lead Disney through the streaming wars, park expansions and whatever content evolution the next decade brings.
