*Courtesy of Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images.*

As Disney maps out its upcoming film schedule, CEO Bob Iger clarified that the company isn’t prioritizing either original stories or sequels and reboots—it values both approaches equally.

Iger on on Disney’s earnings call Wednesday: “We continue to be focused on creating new IP. Obviously, that’s of great value to us long term, but we also know that the popularity of our older IP remains significant.”

He added: “I wouldn’t say that we’ve got a priority one way or the other. Our priority is to put out great movies that ultimately resonate with consumers and the more we can find and develop original property, the better.”

Recently, Disney’s live-action adaptation of ‘Lilo & Stitch’ became the first Hollywood production to surpass $1 billion globally, signaling the strong potential in revisiting existing franchises. Iger also cited the live-action ‘Moana,’ scheduled for release in 2026, as another opportunity to breathe new life into familiar properties.

At the same time, Iger emphasized that Disney is still actively developing original content through its 20th Century Fox and Searchlight Pictures divisions. He also noted that some Marvel projects could be viewed as original intellectual property, thanks to how Disney is expanding their reach. Currently, ‘Fantastic Four’ leads the domestic box office, although it saw a significant decline following its opening weekend.

Regarding the earnings report, Disney’s performance signals a strong rebound in streaming profitability, as its direct-to-consumer segment becomes a growth driver rather than a cost center. The integration of Hulu into Disney+ and new sports deals from NFL and WWE position Disney to consolidate market share and monetize bundled offerings more effectively. With subscriber counts no longer publicly disclosed in fiscal 2026, the focus may shift toward profitability, content differentiation, and deepening integration of services.

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