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Bob Iger spent the past 12 months overseeing the endgame forMarvelsAvengersfranchise and the last installment of theStar WarsSkywalker saga.
This week, the longtime leader of The Walt Disney Co. unveiled one more curtain call: his own.
Iger had telegraphed his retirement plans for years, and Chapek was long considered a potential replacement.
Not surprisingly, the sudden announcement prompted plenty of questions (and at least afewSuccessionquips).
Here are four of the most pressing ones.
Who is Bob Chapek, and why did he get the gig?
First and foremost, hes a company man.
During the 2010s, Chapek got more involved in the consumer-facing aspects of Disneys business.
(TheSuccessionparallelsreally are a bit creepy.)
While the timing of Igers announcement shocked most in Hollywood, Chapeks selection isnt a complete surprise.
The DNA of delighting the consumer is what will make them succeed.
Media coverage that implies Chapek doesnt have consumer experience is absolutely nonsensical.
His history in all the divisions that really matter really is very supportive of him taking on that role.
Why did Bob Iger step down now?
And its not as if Iger has just walked away from Disney.
While no longer CEO, hes still at the company and retains a degree of control.
Chapek has day-to-day oversight of the Mouse House, but he reports to Iger until December 31, 2021.
Thats when Igers contract will expire and, barring new developments, hell officially retire from Disney.
How will Disneys new boss connect with Hollywood?
Chapek will clearly need Iger to act as Yoda to his Luke Skywalker when it comes to Tinseltown.
It is no exaggeration to say the town pretty much has no clue who he is.
Veteran entertainment business reporter Cynthia Littleton ofVarietyperfectly captured Chapeks challenge inher analysisof the transition.
Kevin is the more dynamic figure.
Bob is a little bit more reserved.
But hell learn those things.
What happens next?
My guess is, this was a gut punch to Kevin, the Disney insider told me.
Then theres the question of what changes Chapek will make once he gets situated in his new role.
Hes known for being ruthless in his pursuit of growing profits at his divisions, often through cost-cutting.
Disney already has multiple TV production labels as well as at least oneseverely underperforming cable data pipe in Freeform.
He will go in there and cut the fat, predicted one executive familiar with Chapeks management style.
Youre going to see some dominoes fall, the Mouse House source said.
