Disney Headlines for March 16th, 2026
Pixar just announced several moves, while The Walt Disney Company reshuffled its org chart.
We’ve got a huge week of Disney Headlines and more coming soon.
After all, the annual Disney Shareholder Meeting is on Wednesday.
So, March is shaping up as a huge month for Disney and its fans.
Disney Enters the D’Amaro Era
Photo: Bob Iger on Instagram
We’re less than 48 hours from the start of the Josh D’Amaro Era at Disney.
At the start of the Disney Shareholder Meeting, D’Amaro will officially succeed Bob Iger.
Photo: Josh D’Amaro in Instagram
Technically, Disney’s current CEO isn’t leaving the company until his contract ends in September.
However, by all accounts, once Iger hands over the keys to D’Amaro, that’s it.
Photo: Disney
Iger will take on an advisory role that sounds perfunctory rather than meaningful.
Basically, barring something unforeseen, Iger is done at Disney, and it’s D’Amaro’s show.
Photo: Deadline
Last month, I’d mentioned that D’Amaro’s impact was already being felt behind the scenes.
I also mentioned that I’d heard that Kristina Schake may be on her way out at Disney.
Photo: Walt Disney Company
That was a fascinating rumor in that she’d recently signed a contract extension.
That move appeared to be Bob Iger doing her a solid as one of his final acts.
Photo: TheWrap
Sure enough, Schake is leaving Disney this week, and we just learned who her replacement will be.
Paul Roeder will become the new Zenia Mucha at Disney, a crucially important role.
Photo: TheWrap
In a couple of days, Roeder will become Chief Communications Officer (CCO), making him the voice of Disney.
As the CCO, Roeder will handle all messaging for Disney, which matters during crisis moments.
JArmani White. (Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images)
JIMMY KIMMEL
I suspect that Schake lost trust at Disney during the Jimmy Kimmel incident, and she’s not the first.
She’s not even the first in the 2020s, as many of us remember the Geoff Morrell debacle.
Photo: CNBC
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek chased away Mucha, who had sagely advised Iger since the early 2000s.
Not coincidentally, Chapek repeatedly suffered PR crises without Mucha to guide him.
So, D’Amaro is entrusting Roeder to provide similarly wise counsel over the next decade.
Pay attention to this story, as it matters more than you may realize.
Pixar Plans Ahead
Elio
After several odd stops and starts, Pixar is riding another wave of positivity.
While Elio bombed last year, Inside Out 2 earned so much that nobody cared.
Photo: Pixar
Meanwhile, Hoppers is currently proving that Pixar remains the best in original storytelling.
The film currently holds Rotten Tomatoes scores of 93 and 94 percent, meaning everyone loves it.
Photo: Pixar
Few mainstream Hollywood movies earn critical and viewer acclaim these days.
Pixar, in particular, has been a lightning rod for criticism during the 2020s.
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
Fair or not, people have assailed Pixar for its moves during the pandemic and original stories afterward.
The studio desperately needed a hit like Hoppers, especially with everything else happening at Disney.
Photo: Disney
Before Inside Out 2 debuted, Pixar execs were nervously saying things could change.
Had that film failed, Pixar as we know it would have been fundamentally altered.
This Inside Out concept art features Shame standing next to Anxiety. Photo: Reddit
Now that the worst appears to be in the past, the studio is ready to move forward.
Pixar technically has a new boss it wants to impress, as I didn’t mention a promotion earlier.
When D’Amaro becomes CEO, Dana Walden expands her job duties to President at Disney.
She also becomes Chief Creative Officer, putting her in charge of all Disney and Pixar films.
JON KOPALOFF/GETTY IMAGES
So, this wouldn’t be a good time for Pixar OR Walden to go into another slump.
Pixar clearly agrees with me, as the studio just lined up its slate for the rest of the 2020s.
Coming Soon
Photo: Pixar
As you know, Toy Story 5 will arrive in theaters this June, and it’s a surefire hit.
Disney expects this film to earn $1 billion at the box office, and $1.5 billion wouldn’t be surprising.
Photo: Pixar
However, 2027 could feasibly become a gap year, similar to what just happened in 2025.
Pixar’s only confirmed release is Gatto, about which we know little right now.
Photo: Pixar
The protagonist is a black cat, which pleases me, as I have one staring at me while I type this.
They’re in debt to some sort of “feline mob boss,” which feels very Zootopia.
Photo: Pixar
Cute animals have done very well for Disney animated movies lately, so this one could surprise.
Just in case, Pixar has lined up heavyweights for 2028 and beyond, as is the new strategy. A couple of years ago, Pixar announced its plan to follow an original story with a sequel.
So, we’re getting a Toy Story sequel followed by an original story, and you know what comes next.
Photo: Disney
Yes, it’s another sequel…and a huge one at that. The Incredibles 3 will debut in 2028.
Disney also confirmed Monsters, Inc. 3 and Coco 2, thereby creating a road map.
Based on the studio’s announced plans, we can probably expect them in 2030 and 2032.
However, Pixar could expedite the timeline if it wanted to release two movies a year.
Hoppers
Should Toy Story 5 and Hoppers both break out, I think there’s a decent chance of that happening.
Other Disney Movie Headlines
However, the studio must remain selective about its original stories, and they apparently are.
Here’s Justin Hermes discussing everything we know about BeFri, a canceled project.
Photo: Lost Media Wiki
Pixar found this story too niche and replaced it with Elio instead, which may not have been the best move.
Based on what we know of the story, it sounds vaguely KPop Demon Hunters-ish. So…
Photo: Lost Media Wiki
Okay, the odds of BeFri proving anywhere near as popular as that film are remote.
Still, I’m mentioning it because A) It’s a Headline this week and B) Its cancellation is telling.
Photo: Lost Media Wiki
Pixar is apparently returning to its origins by telling stories that appeal to everyone rather than niche audiences.
That’s Pixar executives saying that, not me, as I think a great story sells itself to everyone.
Photo: Pixar
Then again, I loved Elemental and warmly endorse Elio for families. So, I may be the problem.
Speaking of family films, everyone’s favorite story about a father and adopted son, The Mandalorian & Grogu, is coming out soon.
Photo: Disney/Pixar
I’m mentioning this because Kathleen Kennedy has been hilariously defiant lately.
Now that she has retired from Lucasfilm, she’s doing all kinds of media.
(Todd Williamson/Getty Images)
Her vibe is very much, “You didn’t kill me, haters, and now I’m stronger than ever.” It’s glorious.
Kennedy is also speaking on the record about the movie and specifically Baby Yoda.
Photo: Hollywood Reporter
According to her, you shouldn’t expect any reverse dialogue gibberish from The Child.
He will remain silent throughout the film, just as on the television show. Relieved, I am.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, an EarMarked By Disney – Authorized Travel Agency – Diamond Level, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney
