Bob Iger Honors Disney’s 100th Anniversary, Gets Blasted by Fans

The Walt Disney Company is officially 100 years old. On October 16, 1923, Walt Disney brought his dream to life and, in doing so, created one of the most iconic companies in history. Walt could never have imagined that his dream would change the world, but fans are thankful he made his dreams a reality. In its 100 years, Disney has created some of the most iconic films in history and changed the theme park game.

On Disney’s centennial celebration, Disney CEO Bob Iger sent out a tweet, thanking fans for standing by the company for a century. Unfortunately, the tweet didn’t quite get the response Iger was hoping for.

A century ago today, Walt Disney and his brother Roy officially founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, changing entertainment forever. To all who have imagined with us, laughed with us, and dreamed with us throughout the generations since… Thank you. #Disney100

A century ago today, Walt Disney and his brother Roy officially founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, changing entertainment forever. To all who have imagined with us, laughed with us, and dreamed with us throughout the generations since… Thank you. #Disney100 pic.twitter.com/aUJ8vkTNYu

— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) October 16, 2023

While there were some who responded with love for Disney, most of the comments dragged Iger for the fact that all Disney actors were still on strike.

To celebrate this milestone, why don’t you guys go back to the negotiating table with SAG-AFTRA and give them the fair pay and compensation they deserve?

To celebrate this milestone, why don’t you guys go back to the negotiating table with SAG-AFTRA and give them the fair pay and compensation they deserve?

— BSL (@bigscreenleaks) October 16, 2023

Most of the incredible people who work on Disney projects are members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). On July 14, SAG announced that its actors were going on strike after it could not negotiate a new contract with the AMPTP — Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Just one day before the actors went on strike, Bob Iger gave an interview from what’s known as a “summer camp for billionaires.” In the interview, Iger said that some of SAG’s demands were not “realistic.” He is still facing backlash for those comments.

Good job Bobby now how bout you go back to the negotiating table and give SAG actors fair pay and compensation.

Good job Bobby now how bout you go back to the negotiating table and give SAG actors fair pay and compensation.

— Syriangeekvibes (@syriangeekvibes) October 16, 2023

The film industry was hopeful that the actors would soon be back in the studios, especially after the WGA and AMPTP managed to come to an agreement in late September. That ended the nearly 150-day writers’ strike.

Unfortunately, after an entire week of talks, the AMPTP walked away from the bargaining table. This angered hundreds of thousands of actors, who felt that the studios were trying to bully them into an unfair contract.

I think the perfect way to celebrate is to go back to negotiating in good faith with SAG-AFTRA this week and pay your actors fairly 😊

I think the perfect way to celebrate is to go back to negotiating in good faith with SAG-AFTRA this week and pay your actors fairly 😊

— Isabelle (@Heroic_Belle) October 16, 2023

Iger is one of the leaders on the AMPTP negotiating team, alongside Universal Pictures Chief Content Officer Donna Langley, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav, and Carol Lombardini, the President of the AMPTP.

SAG didn’t let Iger forget about the strike on Disney’s historic day. Dozens of actors spent Disney’s 100th Anniversary protesting outside the Mouse House.

Actors picket outside the Disney lot on the studio’s 100th anniversary as they continue to refuse to pay actors fairly.

Actors picket outside the Disney lot on the studio’s 100th anniversary as they continue to refuse to pay actors fairly.

(via: @aadip) pic.twitter.com/Vr6FoRIqK9

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) October 16, 2023

The AMPTP walked away from the negotiating table, claiming that the gap between the two sides became “too great.” SAG is claiming that the AMPTP is offering a deal that is worse than it was at the beginning of the strike. They are claiming that the studios are refusing to negotiate with them the way they negotiated with the WGA.

Iger is not only being called out by fans, but also by SAG. SAG President Fran Drescher called Iger an “ignoramus” when talking with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. She voiced the opinion of many — Iger had no right to claim that SAG was not being realistic when he makes $78,000 per day and owns both a private jet and a private yacht.