Disney Boss Bob Iger “Won’t Apologize For Making Sequels,” Admits Disney Created Too Many

Disney might be the House of Mickey Mouse, but one could argue it’s the house of the sequel too. The company behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars franchises has thrived over the past decade at the box office. As such, Disney CEO Bob Iger doesn’t “want to apologize for making sequels.”

He was asked about them at a New York Times conference on November 29, according to Deadline. A 1966 letter from Walt Disney was read to Iger, in which the founder stated, “I don’t believe in sequels.” This led to the CEO defending film follow-ups.

“Some of them have done extraordinarily well,” Iger said. “And they’ve been good films, too. I think there has to be a reason to make it, beyond commerce. You have to have a good story. And we have made too many. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to continue to make them.”

This year has been tough at the box office for Iger and company. Disney hasn’t had a $1 billion movie after having seven in 2019. For instance, The Marvels and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny have both underperformed. Looking ahead to 2024, the studio has a few big-name sequels as a part of its theatrical lineup, including Deadpool 3, Inside Out 2, and Mufasa: The Lion King (technically a prequel).

Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan recently talked about Hollywood blockbusters being necessary to pay for other films. Meanwhile, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World filmmaker Edgar Wright believes franchises need breaks to “build anticipation.”

Late last year, Iger returned as Disney CEO and replaced Bob Chapek.