Disney and CEO Iger Get Backing of Proxy-Advisory Firm Glass Lewis in Battle Over Board

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Trian Partners founder Nelson Peltz has accepted defeat — for now. Peltz, a day after the activist investor lost a costly proxy battle with Disney, went on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” Thursday to discuss what happened. “The shareholders have voted.

Ellise Shafer “Sasquatch Sunset,” the Sundance-premiering film in which Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg star as Bigfoot-like creatures, is getting a U.K. and Ireland release from Icon Film Distribution. The long-standing distributor, which is known for releasing iconic films like “Drive” and “Malcolm X,” is setting a release date for next quarter following the movie’s premiere at a major U.K.

Just when you thought Tom Sandoval couldn’t make fans cringe anymore…

Amanda Bynes has been going through it recently.

Tom Sandoval is feeling “Dirrty” and inspired by pop icon Christina Aguilera.

Olly Alexander and a number of other performers have released a joint statement about their participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after calls to boycott the competition in solidarity with Palestine.Yesterday (March 28) hundreds of queer artists, individuals and organisations called on Alexander to pull out of the competition this year, after its refusal to expel Israel.Now, Alexander, alongside Ireland’s Bambie Thug, Norway’s Gåte, Portugal’s Iolanda, San Marino’s Megara, Switzerland’s Nemo, Denmark’s SABA, Lithuania’s Silvester Belt and Finland’s Windows95Man, have signed a letter outlining their response.“We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision,” it begins.pic.twitter.com/VBNQWwPe46— olly alexander (@alexander_olly) March 29, 2024“In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent. It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages.

A Governor Ron DeSantis-selected special district board the oversees The Walt Disney Co.‘s Florida theme park properties has settled its litigation with the company today.

Jaden Thompson Sony Pictures has just released the trailer for “Bad Boys 4,” starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The film’s official title is “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” This is the fourth film in the popular action-comedy franchise that debuted in 1995, when Smith and Lawrence first teamed up as Miami PD detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who investigate illegal drug trading in Miami.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Michael Eisner, the former Disney CEO who exited the company in 2005, is the latest member of the extended Disneyverse to weigh in with support for current chief exec Bob Iger, who’s facing a proxy fight with activist investors including Nelson Peltz in a vote for board candidates at Disney’s April 3 annual shareholders meeting. “[I]n 1983, Disney was under attack by corporate raiders trying to take over the company,” Eisner wrote in a post on X, referring to the unsuccessful attempt by financier Saul Steinberg to stage a hostile takeover of the company.

(Updated with  Laurene Powell Jobs statement) The fight for the future of the Walt Disney Company got very fast and furious this morning.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney was handed a setback in its boardroom fight with activist investor Nelson Peltz after proxy-advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services recommended that shareholders vote him onto the Mouse House’s board. ISS, whose recommendations are influential among institutional investors, cited Disney’s “failed” succession planning in the CEO role in its report backing Peltz, whose Trian Partners.

ISS, the most influential proxy advisory service, has recommended shareholders vote to put Trian’s Nelson Peltz on Disney’s board, saying the activist investor, “with his considerable experience on other boards and fiduciary duties owed to a large shareholding group, appears best positioned to bring a shareholder perspective to the board.”

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Star Wars mastermind George Lucas has come out with a statement in support of Disney‘s board and CEO Bob Iger, urging Mouse House shareholders to reject a bid by two activist investor groups to take seats on the media company’s board. “Creating magic is not for amateurs,” Lucas said in a statement released Tuesday. “When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago, I was delighted to become a Disney shareholder because of my longtime admiration for its iconic brand and Bob Iger’s leadership.” Lucas continued, “When Bob recently returned to the company during a difficult time, I was relieved.

Gorka Marquez appears to have confirmed he and one of his Strictly Come Dancing co-star are cooking up something special for fans after taking a break from their work together. Fans of the dancer will know that he has a partnership outside of the BBC One dance contest with Karen Hauer.

Proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis has recommended that Disney shareholders withhold votes for all board candidates except the company’s own.

K.J. Yossman “The Crown” may have ended last year, but Netflix has another royal drama in store. The streamer has released the first trailer for “Scoop,” its feature-length dramatization of Prince Andrew‘s toe-curling interview with “Newsnight” anchor Emily Maitlis.

The second season of The Traitors may have wrapped up, but the drama between the cast members is far from over! Because Sandra Diaz-Twine and Kate Chastain appear to be feuding over what happened in the game!

Disney’s latest salvo in a proxy fight with activist investor Trian Fund Management highlights the firm’s “silent partner” Ike Perlmutter and his “difficult history with Bob Iger.”

Weezer dropped their critically-acclaimed debut “Blue Album.”To celebrate the anniversary of the iconic record — technically titled “Weezer” — Rivers Cuomo and co. will take off on their 22-concert arena ‘Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour’ where they’ll play the 10-track album in its entirety.“We also plan on playing all of your favorite Weezer songs, rarities and more,” the band shared on Instagram.That includes a stop at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Sept.

The Oscars took place on Sunday night, with the ceremony celebrating the very best talent in film, design and sound. A whole host of celebrities headed to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the special event, which is celebrating its 96th year.The popular film Oppenheimer cleaned up nicely, taking home a grand total of seven awards including the highly-coveted Best Picture.The film's director Christopher Nolan also picked up the Best Director award, and its star Cillian Murphy was awarded the Best Leading Actor gong.