Disney’s Bob Chapek on the Future of Moviegoing, Disney Plus and Theme Parks

Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek says the release pattern of Black Widow will be a “last-minute” decision, a sentiment that won’t reassure movie theater owners or others rooting for a Covid-19 rebound.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAfter a more-than-yearlong closure, Disneyland is set to reopen on April 30, Disney CEO Bob Chapek told CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” Wednesday morning.More to come… 

Today at Disney’s annual shareholder meeting, CEO Bob Chapek continued to underscore that the release date for Marvel’s long-awaited feature Black Widow is May 7, and that the Cate Shortland-directed title will be seen in theaters. Chapek made the same confirmation back on Feb. 11 during the studio’s FYQ1 earnings call.

“It has been a very trying year. The most difficult we’ve had in recent memory, if ever,” said Bob Iger, first up Tuesday at the company’s virtual annual shareholders meeting. Sounding moved, he noted that it would be his last as he prepares to exit after 16 years as CEO and, more recently, executive chairman, and well over 40 years at the company.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek responded to a shareholder on Tuesday who accused Tinseltown, as well as the multimillion-dollar company, of a double standard in firing Gina Carano due to her political affiliation.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaWalt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek was grilled by shareholders about Gina Carano’s firing from “The Mandalorian,” when cruise ships would set sail again and the future of Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy at the entertainment giant’s annual shareholders meeting on Tuesday.It’s been a tumultuous first year atop Disney for Chapek, who took the reins from Bob Iger in February 2020, shortly before COVID-19 upended the entertainment landscape.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek defended the Gina Carano firing on Tuesday, insisting the company doesn’t characterize itself as “left-leaning or right-leaning.”He added that the company stands for universal values and that, “we seek to have not only how we operate, but the content we make, reflect the rich diversity of the world we live in.”Carano was dropped from “The Mandalorian” after the actress posted comments Lucasfilm said it considers “abhorrent” on her social media.More to come…

Disney CEO Chapek Bob Chapek Tuesday said he doesn’t “really see Disney as characterizing itself as left-leaning or right-leaning” – responding to a shareholder who accused Hollywood and the company of a double standard in firing Gina Carano from The Mandalorian because she’s a conservative.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorDisney Plus continues to grow apace, topping 100 million subscribers worldwide, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Tuesday during its annual shareholders meeting. That’s up from the 94.9 million Disney reported last month.“The enormous success of Disney Plus has inspired us to be even more ambitious, and to significantly increase our investment in the development of high-quality content,” Chapek said.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAfter California officials issued new guidelines Friday allowing theme parks and stadiums to reopen as early as April 1, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said at the company’s annual shareholder meeting Tuesday that Disneyland could open its gates again in a matter of weeks.“The fact is, it will take some time to get them ready for our guests,” he said, adding that Disney is focused on “recalling more than 10,000 furloughed cast members and training them to operate under the

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Disneyland will open in “late April” — declining to give a specific date today but at least narrowing the window.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Tuesday the company’s fast-growing streaming service Disney+ has topped 100 million subscribers.

Banksy has shared a video featuring American artist Bob Ross confirming that the Reading prison artwork that mysteriously appeared earlier this week is his.The picture, which emerged on Monday morning (March 1), shows a prisoner – resembling famous inmate Oscar Wilde – escaping from the prison using a rope fashioned from bedsheets tied to a typewriter.Now, Banksy has uploaded a comical video to his Instagram account, which you can view below, in which he confirms the artwork is his and named it

I Care a Lot will be the most requested hair cut this spring. Curls also look great in a sharp bob. Here it's all about playing up angles.

Paramount has tappedReinaldo Marcus Green to direct the studio'sBob Marley biopic. Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley and Cedella Marley will produce on behalf of Tuff Gong.

EXCLUSIVE: Billy Bob Thornton, Alfre Woodard and Bridgerton breakout star Regé-Jean Page have rounded out cast of the Russos’ The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana De Armas. Wagner Moura, Jessica Henwick, Dhanush and Julia Butters are also on board.

EXCLUSIVE: Following a lengthy search, Paramount has tapped King Richard’s Reinaldo Marcus Green to direct its Bob Marley movie for the studio. Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley and Cedella Marley will produce on behalf of Tuff Gong. Robert Teitel will also produce.