Bob Iger, who led Disney for two decades until his recent departure, revealed in an exit interview with The Financial Times that the company pursued several major deals that ultimately fell through. Among them were a near-purchase of Twitter, an overture to Apple, and a failed bid for the James Bond franchise.
Iger confirmed that Disney came close to acquiring Twitter from co-founder Jack Dorsey "at a very attractive price" before Elon Musk bought the platform in 2022. He had envisioned transforming the social media company into a global distribution powerhouse for Disney content.
The entertainment giant also explored a merger with Apple, though talks never advanced. Additionally, Disney lost the rights to distribute James Bond films, a franchise that has generated billions globally. Iger did not disclose specifics on why the Apple deal collapsed.
These disclosures highlight the scale of Iger's ambition during his tenure, even as some of his highest-profile gambles failed to materialize. The missed opportunities underscore the competitive dynamics in streaming and content distribution that continue to shape the industry.
Critics might argue that pursuing such acquisitions could have stretched Disney's balance sheet or diluted its brand focus. Iger's successors now face a shifting landscape where scale alone may no longer guarantee success.