The Walt Disney Company (DIS) prepares for the most watched casting decision of the decade: Who will replace Bob Iger in 2026? After decades of power plays at Disney, Iger’s final act as CEO will be to hand over the keys to the Magic Kingdom – and this time, the board better get it right. Disney’s previous succession saga was straight out of Succession– but less fun. Iger led Disney for decades, initially becoming chairman in 2000 before taking on the role of CEO in 2005. As of 2020, Bob Chapek took the reins from Iger, but after COVID-19 and the heated streaming wars against other media conglomerates, the board pressed a rewindbringing Iger back in 2022 to right the ship.

Even though Iger’s return was considered temporary, no clear successor was groomed by the executive to take his place. Now 73, Iger’s contract expires in December 2026, after being extended again last summer. Succession planning has long been a contentious issue for the entertainment giant. During Iger’s first term as CEO, he repeatedly postponed his retirement and potential successors like former COO Tom Staggs left the company in frustration. After leaving office in 2020, Iger remained president of the company while Chapek was not offered a place on the board of directors. In an unusual arrangement, Chapek was to report directly to both Iger and the board, while Iger continued to work out of the office typically reserved for Disney CEOs.

Disney chair Mark Parker is leading the charge to stave off a new round of music CEOs, and he has a powerful team at his side, including the new president James Gorman from Morgan Stanley and private sector heavyweights like Lululemon Calvin McDonald and General Motors Marie Barra. While Disney hasn’t confirmed any suitors, here are some executives the iconic company could tap for one of the media world’s toughest gigs.

Disney Insiders

• Dana Walden is one of Disney’s most influential players in the Hollywood arena, and his journey closely resembles Iger’s own rise through the network’s ranks. As co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, she controls a television programming and streaming empire, and she has the connections and creative cachet to demonstrate it. Walden cut his teeth at Fox, where she transformed him into an Emmy-collecting machine. His move to Disney during the acquisition of 21st Century Fox raised eyebrows, but it also strengthened Disney’s hold on the television landscape. The big question is whether five years at Disney will qualify her for the throne. At 59, Walden could become Disney’s first female CEO, if she can convince the board that her Hollywood expertise translates to the diversity of the Disney empire.
• If Walden is the outsider turned insider, Alan Bergman is pure Disney DNA. Bergman started at Disney in 1996 and rose through the ranks to co-chair Disney Entertainment alongside Walden, overseeing the mega-franchises – Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm – that define Disney today. He is the architect of some of the highest-grossing films of all time, from Avengers: Endgame has Avatar: The Way of Water. If Disney wants a leader who understands its cinematic soul, Bergman is the obvious choice. Still, Bergman’s laser focus on cinema could be a liability. He has a steady hand, sure, but Disney’s future is more complicated than box office numbers. With streaming and digital at the forefront, Bergman may have to prove he’s ready to lead Disney into uncharted waters.
• Josh D’Amaro is the golden boy of the Disney Parks and Resorts division. Having started as a front-line employee in 1998, he is now responsible for 180,000 employees, the $60 billion Disney Parks expansion and the company’s 2024 profits, 60% of which come from his sector. D’Amaro has fan appeal and bottom lines on his side. The challenge? D’Amaro’s experience with film and television is slim; In Iger’s eyes, streaming remains Disney’s main growth engine. Disney’s streaming service had its first profitable quarter in 2024, although still below Netflix’s numbers. D’Amaro is a theme park legend, but whether he can pivot Disney’s media divisions to compete on a global scale is another question.
• Jimmy Pitarothe brains behind ESPN, is no stranger to a company’s rebirth. Since taking over ESPN in 2018, he has brought the network back from a ratings decline, secured a major 11-year deal with the NFL and rolled out a direct-to-consumer service that is expected to debut in 2025. With ESPN now a digital powerhouse, Pitaro has the chops for Disney’s streaming ambitions, not to mention the crossover experience from his time running Disney’s consumer products. But can an athlete run Disney? His experience managing merchandising heavyweights Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars helps him in his case. Pitaro’s journey hasn’t been conventional, but he’s proven he can lead Disney’s business from multiple angles.

Outside Titans: bold alternatives

Disney’s succession process has been anything but conventional. Even if insiders are the safest choice, the board may well go rogue, given Disney’s current crossroads. With Disney shares down nearly 50% from their 2021 peak and traditional networks like ABC losing relevance, the company could look to Silicon Valley or Hollywood for a breath of fresh air .

• CEO of YouTube Neil Mohan just won the crown for overseeing the most-watched channel on American television, dethroning Disney itself. Bringing in a technology executive with expertise in digital and advertising would indicate that Disney is serious about competing on the tech giants’ turf. Mohan’s experience could make him the boldest and most transformative choice, but his tech-centric background would be a seismic shift for Disney’s traditionally entertainment-focused CEO role.
• If Disney wants to remain king of the content castle, just press one of the Co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos And Greg Peterscould be the play. Sarandos built Netflix into a cultural juggernaut, while Peters focused on international expansion and growth. Both could bring Disney an impactful streaming strategy — something investors might want after years of growing pains for Disney+.
• Head of Netflix Content Bela Bajaria‘s track record includes massive hits like Stranger Things, Squid game And The Bridgerton Chronicles. She has proven her ability to select films that will appeal to global audiences, which could be a perfect fit for Disney’s size and ambition. Bajaria’s unique experience blending content curation and international appeal makes it a standout option, if Disney is ready to embrace an outside-the-box visionary.
• Head of Netflix Cinema Dan LinThe portfolio speaks for itself: he is the brains behind The LEGO Movie And Sherlock Holmesas well as a Hollywood producer with experience on both sides of the studio equation. Bringing in Lin would mean significant creative influence and franchise-building expertise — skills that Disney could leverage to navigate its existing franchises and expand its intellectual property. Lin would be bold but strategic, marrying Disney history with forward-looking storytelling.

What’s next for Disney?

As Disney considers its next step, the question is whether it needs an insider who can carry on Iger’s vision or an outsider who can shake things up. This is not a simple transfer; it’s a defining moment for Disney’s brand, legacy and future. With Iger’s retirement scheduled for December 2026, Disney’s board can either preserve Iger’s legacy or move toward something entirely new. Whoever takes the plunge will need more than a resume: They’ll need the foresight to lead Disney through the streaming wars, park expansions, and whatever content evolution the next decade brings.