Actors and writers are currently on strike in Hollywood, with the writers’ strike starting in May and the actors’ strike starting on June 13th. As a result, several film projects have been put on hold.

Disney CEO Bob Iger previously commented about the possibility of an actors’ strike (before the strike was officially called), and he received backlash for his comments, which some deemed to be “out of touch” and “tone-deaf.” As the criticism began to spread, many Disney fans wondered if Iger would change his tune about the strikes. In Disney’s third-quarter earning call, the CEO once again commented on this situation.

During an interview with CNBC earlier this year, Bob Iger was asked about the actor and writer strikes. He commented on how the industry was still trying to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many productions and said that the idea that strikes would follow and further disrupt those projects was “very disturbing.”

Iger said, “This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption.” He did mention he respects the unions’ rights to get more compensation for their people, “but you also have to be realistic about the business environment,” which has been a great business for all these people.

Iger’s words have been turned against him by many people, including actors on the strike lines, Disney fans, and even the SAG-AFTRA President, Fran Drescher. About Bob Iger, Drescher said, “If I were that company, I would lock him behind doors.” She said his comments were “repugnant,” “out of touch,” and “tone-deaf.”

Actor Anthony Rapp said, “I don’t think it’s realistic for Bob Iger and other CEOs to make 27, 35, 200 million dollars a year and expect that the labor that allows them to make that kind of money demands fair wages.”

Now, during the company’s third-quarter earnings call, Iger has commented on the situation once again, and he took a very different approach this time.

Iger started by saying, “Nothing is more important to this company than its relationships with the creative community,” including actors and writers. He went on to say, “I have deep respect for all those who are vital to the creative engine.”

He ended his short remarks by saying, “It is my fervent hope that we quickly find solutions. I am personally committed to working to achieve this result.”

One of the main issues that both the writers and actors are concerned about is the use of AI in entertainment. In fact, Disney has a specific AI task force designed to evaluate how the company plans to use the technology going forward. Disney has been criticized for their use of AI in the opening credits of Secret Invasion, although the company claimed that “no artists’ jobs were replaced by incorporating these new tools.”

We’ll have to wait and see what happens with strike negotiations and the use of AI in Disney’s upcoming movies. Stay tuned to DFB for more breaking news from Disney.

Click here to learn more about Disney’s AI task force. 

The post BREAKING: Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on Actor’s Strike first appeared on the disney food blog.