Bob Iger Disney Message Sparks Outrage

On October 16, The Walt Disney Company celebrated its 100th birthday. The studio was founded by the iconic animator and his brother, Roy E. Disney, in 1923, with the studio going on to revolutionize the entertainment industry.

To commemorate the occasion, CEO Robert Iger posted to X—the social network formerly known as Twitter.

"A century ago today, Walt Disney and his brother Roy officially founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, changing entertainment forever," he wrote.

"To all who have imagined with us, laughed with us, and dreamed with us throughout the generations since... Thank you."

However, the post didn't garner the result the 72-year-old was likely hoping for, with users taking aim at the businessman over his stance on the actors' strike in Hollywood.

"The best way to celebrate that legacy, is by making a fair deal with SAG and putting the industry back to work," said Joshua Nathan Strong.

James Cartmell agreed, writing: "Great story. Now make a deal with@sagaftra."

"How bout you go back to the negotiating table and give SAG actors fair pay and compensation," said @syriangeekvibes.

"Walt would be turning over in his grave when he saw what his company was turned into," wrote Dylan Hunt, while @vadascreams commented: "This greed of yours is just nasty."

Nevertheless, other fans praised the studio, with Rufus calling Disney "The most Iconic cartoon studio ever made."

"When you wish upon a star.... Look at what magic you can create," wrote Jamie A. "Happy birthday Disney! Cannot wait to see what you do in the next 100 years."

Newsweek has contacted Disney via email for comment.

In an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box program on July 13 as reported by Variety, Iger said that the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) were not being "realistic" with their demands.

"It's very disturbing to me," he said. "We've talked about disruptive forces on [sic] this business and all the challenges we're facing, the recovery from COVID which is ongoing, it's not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption."

He continued: "I understand any labor organization's desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver.

"We managed, as an industry, to negotiate a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business. We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and we'd like to do the same thing with the actors.

"There's a level of expectation that they have that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive."

In August, Iger pledged to find a solution to the strike issue. In a quarterly earnings call, he said: "Nothing is more important to this company than its relationships with the creative community. That includes actors, writers, animators, directors and producers.

"I have deep respect and appreciation to how vital they are to the extraordinary creative engine that drives this company and our industry.

"It is my fervent hope that we can quickly find solutions to the issues that have kept us apart these past few months. And I am personally committed to working toward this result."

The WGA went on strike in May, requesting better pay and a more stable renumeration structure for its 11,000 members. It was closely followed by SAG-AFTRA in July, who are asking for increased compensation and residuals, protection against artificial intelligence and regulation of self-taped auditions.

The WGA strike ended in September, but the SAG-AFTRA strike is still ongoing. As a result of the industrial action, several Disney projects have been delayed or put on hold, including Avatar 3, 4 and 5, two new Star Wars films and multiple Marvel titles.