Hollywood CEOs Meet To Discuss Continuing Strikes — Where Is Bob Iger?
With no end to the Hollywood strikes in sight, some of the biggest studio executives in the industry gathered together to discuss their path forward.
Disney’s Dana Walden and Alan Bergman met with Amazon Studios’ Mike Hopkins and Jennifer Salke, Neflix’s Ted Sarandos, Universal’s Donna Langley, and Warner Bros Disovery’s David Zaslav for a virtual sit-down to plan the studios’ strategy.
Photo: Disney
Noticeably absent from the meeting was Diseny CEO Bob Iger. The Mouse House head honcho has reportedly reverted back to his earlier stance of having Walden and Bergman take the lead over the labor discussions.
According to Deadline, Iger plans to keep his distance and wait for the appropriate moment to become directly engaged.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Negotiations Remain Deadlocked
Negotiations between studios and the WGA have remained in a deadlock following the disastrous August 22 meeting between Iger, Sarandos, Langley, Zaslav, and WGA negotiators.
The WGA rejected the studios’ offer presented at that time, calling it “neither nothing nor nearly enough.”
Photo: NBS News
According to several sources, it was Sarandos and Iger who took the lead last week, telling the WGA that they had to take the latest offer.
“That approach spectacularly flamed out, and then they made it worse by putting their offer out in public the same night,” one industry vet states.
Photo: Variety
Tension Among CEOs
While the various studios have publically put on a united front, there has repeatedly been tension between the CEOs. According to one insider the “thin-skinned” Iger and Zaslave have been “stunned” that they have been vilified by the guild and its members over the past several months.
“Almost everyone is looking for someone to blame,” another insider says of the backbiting among the core CEOs. “They’re paralyzed, even as the clock is ticking. And it’s Ted’s fault, Iger’s fault, even Tony Vinciquerra’s fault, depending on who you ask,” the source added.
Scott Mlyn | CNBC
Even if a deal is reached with the striking unions, studio CEOs are worried that a dry spell will be created on the theatrical release calendar. The longer the strike goes on, the less content there will be to fill next year’s calendar.
“These guys are worried about what comes next, after the strike,” another well-placed source states. “Remember, they’re competitors, they’re always thinking about how to best each other. The strikes don’t change that.”
Photo: Cincinnati Enquirer
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