Part 6/17:

Industry giant Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, voiced concern over the strikes, calling them "disruptive" and "bad timing" amid the industry's recovery from COVID-related disruptions. He acknowledges that Hollywood traditionally negotiates fair deals but warns that unreasonable demands, especially regarding AI usage and residuals, threaten the business model.

Despite these warnings, many industry insiders and observers agree that studios are pursuing greed-driven policies, pushing for AI-generated content and tighter control over likeness rights without fair compensation. Some executives, like Iger, are advocating for "realistic" expectations, even as their own multimillion-dollar contracts, such as Iger’s $27 million annual salary, highlight a disconnect with the rank-and-file artists.