Bob Iger's return to the Walt Disney Co. was greeted with glee by Wall Street and Hollywood's creative community. His 15-year tenure leading Disney — which included the landmark acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox — made the industry believe he had an almost magic touch.
But Iger's return, coupled with the sudden dispatching of his handpicked successor, Bob Chapek , on Sunday, is no fairy tale ending.
The company Iger is taking over is not the same as it was when he stepped down as chief executive in early 2020. And Iger, who officially began his brief retirement at the end of 2021, faces numerous challenges as he attempts to restore Disney's glory, from turning a profit on streaming to plotting a future for ESPN to navigating a possible recession that could clobber tourism.
