Disney’s still looking for a new CEO — but not this year or next year

Disney will announce a replacement for CEO Bob Iger in “early 2026,” according to an update from the company on Monday.

The entertainment giant has been on the hunt for a new leader since Iger’s return to Disney in 2022. Last year Iger extended his contract with Disney until December 31st, 2026, and, as The New York Times notes, delayed retirement four times during his previous run as the company’s CEO before eventually handing control over to Bob Chapek in 2020.

Even though we’re still years away from hearing who will replace Iger, CNBC reports that Disney has interviewed several potential candidates in “recent weeks,” including ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, Disney experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro, and Disney entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman.

Disney also announced that James Gorman, the current executive chairman of Morgan Stanley, will serve as Disney’s chairman starting December 31st, 2024. Gorman also became the head of the board’s succession planning committee in August.

“A critical priority before us is to appoint a new CEO, which we now expect to announce in early 2026,” Gorman said in the press release. “This timing reflects the progress the Succession Planning Committee and the Board are making, and will allow ample time for a successful transition before the conclusion of Bob Iger’s contract in December 2026.”