Disney is about to step into a new era of filmmaking, and artificial intelligence is coming along for the ride.
Dana Walden, who takes over as Disney’s President and Chief Creative Officer on March 18, has made integrating AI into movie and series production one of her top priorities, alongside pushing Disney+ toward the kind of profit margins that make Wall Street happy.
James Gorman, the former Morgan Stanley CEO who chairs Disney’s board of directors, didn’t hold back when Variety asked about Walden’s key focus areas.
AI in movie production came first on the list, followed by improving streaming profitability and ensuring storytelling remains central across every Disney division, from films and shows to theme parks and merchandise.
The OpenAI deal and what it means for Disney+
In December 2025, Disney finalized a landmark $1 billion deal with OpenAI, licensing over 200 characters, from Mickey Mouse to Iron Man and Elsa, to OpenAI’s video-generation platform, Sora.
Starting in 2026, the studio plans to introduce a curated slate of Sora-generated content directly on Disney+. Walden has stressed repeatedly that the goal isn’t to replace human creativity but to work faster and more efficiently, using AI as a tool alongside filmmakers, actors, directors, and writers.
The entertainment industry has been grappling with AI’s implications for years, and Disney isn’t ignoring the concerns. The 2023 strikes by writers and actors resulted in agreements that included protections against AI replacing human creativity, specifically safeguarding actors’ likenesses and voices.
Walden has made it clear that Disney’s approach involves collaboration, not replacement, aiming to speed up visual effects, reduce production costs, and help creators tackle complex tasks while protecting the uniquely human stories that define the company.
Streaming profitability: From billion-dollar losses to growth
Walden’s other major mission is improving Disney+ profitability. Not too long ago, Disney’s streaming business was losing over a billion dollars a quarter. Under Walden’s leadership as co-chair of Disney Entertainment, the company turned that around. Disney+ and the bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ have moved steadily into profitability, with Walden confirming they’re now targeting double-digit margins.
She’s accomplished this by creating an integrated entertainment ecosystem, tightly aligning linear and streaming strategies. Shows developed for Hulu like Only Murders in the Building can play on ABC, and ABC’s procedurals are among Hulu’s most-binged titles.
The integration of Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers has driven engagement and improved churn dynamics, giving subscribers extraordinary value while keeping them hooked on Disney content across platforms.
Walden also pointed to how Disney’s powerhouse film studio feeds marquee titles into Disney+. Many of them are billion-dollar-plus performers at the box office, and then they transition to Disney+ where they drive subscriber acquisition and engagement.
Disney’s content library consistently ranks among the most-watched, with hits like Bluey, The Bear, and Shōgun reinforcing Disney’s position as the industry benchmark for premium storytelling.
A leadership transition built on creativity and innovation
Walden’s promotion comes as part of Disney’s major leadership transition. Bob Iger, who has been CEO since 2022 after previously serving from 2005 to 2020, formally steps down on March 18. Josh D’Amaro, currently chair of Disney’s Experiences unit overseeing theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and consumer products, becomes the new CEO.
Walden, at 61, will make history as Disney’s first-ever Chief Creative Officer and the first woman to hold the title of President in the company’s 102-year legacy.
D’Amaro emphasized in his interview with David Muir that AI is already supercharging Disney’s creatives in amazing ways. He stressed that human beings generating creativity never get replaced, noting that when technology intersects with brilliant people and creativity, that’s when Disney thrives. And they’re in that moment right now.
Walden’s background comes from television, film, and content strategy rather than theme parks. She joined Disney in 2019 following the company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, where she was CEO of Fox Television Group. Under her watch, ABC has been the No. 1 entertainment network for multiple consecutive seasons, and she’s shepherded culture-defining shows that have earned Disney 60 Emmy Awards in 2024, the most wins in a single year by any company.
The leadership duo of D’Amaro and Walden represents Disney betting that deep institutional knowledge, creative focus, and operational discipline are exactly what the company needs as it navigates declining linear TV, surging sports rights costs, and competition from Silicon Valley.
Walden’s Chief Creative Officer role extends beyond just film and television—her job is making sure storytelling flows through merchandise, park experiences, and cruises, not just theaters and streaming platforms.
Disney’s post-Iger era officially begins March 18, and with AI integration, streaming profitability, and creative storytelling at the forefront, the House of Mouse is positioning itself for what it hopes is a steadier, future-facing chapter. Whether AI becomes a true creative partner or just another tool in the arsenal remains to be seen, but Walden and D’Amaro seem confident they can thread that needle while keeping the magic alive.
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