Chapek's Memoir Accuses Iger of Three-Year Campaign to Sabotage Disney Leadership

Key points

• Chapek claims Iger initiated a 'relentless three-year campaign' to push him out after appointing him as CEO in February 2020.
• The memoir alleges Iger publicly undermined Chapek during the 'Don't Say Gay' bill controversy and the pandemic-era debt crisis.
• Chapek describes a hostile retirement party where Iger mocked his Indiana background and refused to acknowledge him as successor.
• Disney insiders characterize Chapek's account as 'revisionist,' while Disney and Iger declined to comment on the claims.
• The book competes with an upcoming unauthorized biography of Iger by Wall Street Journal reporter Robbie Whelan.

Background

Bob Chapek served as Disney CEO from February 2020 to November 2022, when the board ousted him and reinstated Bob Iger. Iger later stepped down as CEO in March 2026, replaced by Josh D'Amaro. Recent archive coverage notes that Iger was celebrated as a Disney Legend in August 2026, with tributes from industry figures, contrasting with the current allegations of sabotage.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter highlight Chapek's narrative of a 'venomous' transition, emphasizing Iger's public mockery and refusal to support the handoff. Vanity Fair focuses on the political maneuvering, noting Chapek's claim that Iger used media outlets to damage his reputation. While Chapek presents his version as the truth, Variety notes that Disney insiders view the memoir as a 'revisionist' account, suggesting a disagreement on the nature of the internal conflict. All sources agree that the transition was contentious, but differ on the degree of intentional sabotage versus natural friction.

Why it matters

The memoir sheds light on the internal dynamics of one of the world's largest media companies, raising questions about corporate governance and succession planning. It highlights the potential for power struggles to undermine leadership, even after a formal handoff. The release of competing accounts, including an unauthorized biography, suggests a broader public interest in the truth behind Disney's recent leadership changes.

What to watch

The full memoir, 'Behind the Castle Walls,' is set to release on September 29, 2026. An unauthorized biography of Bob Iger, 'The House of Mouse,' is scheduled for release on December 1, 2026. The industry will likely watch for further responses from Disney or Iger, though both have declined to comment on the current excerpts.