Bob Iger has become notorious for his role as Disney‘s CEO. However, Bob Iger is now facing backlash, having made some unpopular comments in response to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Moviegoers likely already know about the strikes. The WGA has been on strike for several months now. And, to show solidarity, SAG-AFTRA has joined them. Their demands include better pay, particularly for those writers and actors struggling to make ends meet, and regulations for the use of AI.
Bob Iger has famously expressed that these demands are unreasonable. Of course, being that he is an incredibly wealthy CEO of a massive company, writers, actors, and even moviegoers are shocked by his comments. As such, it isn’t surprising that backlash has started to rise on social media.
Here is some of the backlash via Twitter that has sparked against Bob Iger:
Bob Iger is completely out of touch if he thinks the unions are the ones being unrealistic here. pic.twitter.com/t9XDabMhMZ
— Adam Conover (@adamconover) July 14, 2023
The fact that Bob Iger gave an anti-labor interview while he is reportedly having a 2nd yacht constructed to replace his 184 foot super yacht might be the most on brand CEO shit of the year.
— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) July 13, 2023
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher slams Bob Iger’s “repugnant” strike remarks: “If I were that company, I would lock him behind doors and never let him talk to anybody about this, because it’s so obvious that he has no clue as to what is really happening.” https://t.co/UacRrD06I4 pic.twitter.com/B7PpBMPAJn
— Variety (@Variety) July 14, 2023
Bob Iger : “what writers and actors are asking for is unrealistic”
The reality: pic.twitter.com/3pzucSzoKZ
— Randy (@TheArtofSTG) July 15, 2023
Disney CEO Bob Iger—who makes $27M/year—complains that writers & actors aren’t realistic in their demands, refuses to answer what’s unrealistic, & admits a strike will be devastating.
Yes—that’s how strikes work. That’s why they’re effective.
Pay Workerspic.twitter.com/DNw1T6SNft
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) July 13, 2023
Hollywood writers, on average, are paid $69,510 a year.
Bob Iger is paid $74,175 a DAY.
That is “very disturbing” to me, Bob. https://t.co/ISS8pqSBdt
— Tyler Evans (@tylerevansokay) July 13, 2023
Sean Gunn says “in 1980, CEOs made 30x what the lowest worker was making, now Bob Iger makes 400x what his lowest worker is making.”
“I think that’s a fucking shame Bob, and maybe you should look in the mirror & ask why is that? Is it morally okay?” pic.twitter.com/yJkbz9QT28
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 15, 2023
Of course, Disney is only one such company being involved with the strikes. The entirety of Hollywood is on the verge of shutting down as a result. This includes other studios like Warner Bros, Universal, and Paramount. Even high-profile actors are emphasizing the importance of the strike for those actors that are barely paid for their work. The same can be said for writers.
It’s certainly become a misconception that any random writer or actor is paid millions for their work. Many are paid barely anything at all. And, at a time when studios continue to make billions at the box office, it certainly stands to reason that there should be conversations in place. Especially when the introduction of artificial intelligence also threatens to change up the playing field.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates on the situation as we have them. Obviously it would be great if the studios could come to an agreement with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA sooner rather than later. But there’s always the possibility that these strikes could drag on much longer than desired.