CEO & Director, Walt Disney Co
Disney CEO Bob Iger speaks at dedication of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland | ABC7
Disney CEO Bob Iger is expected to speak at the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge dedication ceremony at Disneyland. More on the new Star Wars land here: https://abc7.la/2HISPcx
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About Robert Iger
In a June 2026 interview with CNBC’s Eunice Yoon, former Disney CEO Bob Iger reflected on the 10th anniversary of Shanghai Disneyland, which he described as a career highlight. Iger said the park was a "big risk" because Disney had never operated or designed a park for mainland China, and he stated that the company aimed to build something "authentically Disney but distinctly Chinese" so that Chinese visitors would feel a "sense of ownership." He noted that over 100 million people visited the park in its first decade and said he felt "great" about its economic success. Iger recalled that competitors in China had predicted the park would not work, adding, "I always felt they were wrong, and I could not wait to prove that they were wrong." Regarding US-China relations, Iger said he tries to be "a realist" and acknowledged there will be "ups and downs" and "times of strain." He stated that Disney has succeeded by "putting politics aside" and focusing on its mission to entertain people globally, asserting that if the company does that well, "pretty much no matter what happens, Disney does just fine." Iger also mentioned that Disney is building a Spider-Man land and two new hotels at the Shanghai resort. On his own future, Iger said he is looking forward to "truly enjoying life after Disney" and expressed confidence in his successor, Josh D’Amaro. He advised the company to "create a balance between legacy and innovation."
Transcript (10 segments)
✨ AI-enhanced transcript with speaker attribution
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Host1:15
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger.
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Robert Iger1:32
Thank you very much. All right, I have a long speech that's not a prompter, but I have to start by saying, isn't this fantastic? I have been in this job for 14 years, and you can imagine in this job you have a lot of really good days and a lot of really good nights. This is right up there with the best of them. So thank you. Welcome. Okay. In the spring of 1977, a bright young filmmaker released his newest creation, and it was a unique mix of science fiction, romantic fantasy, and grand adventure. A truly extraordinary film and an epic cultural event that captured the imagination of generations of moviegoers and changed the industry forever. So many of us remember seeing Star Wars for the first time, so exciting, so daring, just so great. And George Lucas is the person that we have to thank for bringing us its rich and textured worlds and one of the greatest mythologies of our time. I like enthusiasm. For more than four decades, Star Wars has transported us to galaxies far, far away, to grand and exotic places, and into complex, colorful, intricately interwoven stories. Now, I'm sure some of you fantasized about traveling in hyperspace, to be among the most diverse set of characters imaginable: the dark side and the light side, bounty hunters, space pirates, rebel spies, and all sorts of alien misfits in all shapes and sizes. Now personally, I always wanted to sidle up to the bar of the cantina. Would you like to do that? Although nothing would have excited me more than to climb in a cockpit and pilot the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon. And now, with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, we can do all of that and so much more. Star Wars first came to Disney when our Imagineers and George Lucas joined forces to create the groundbreaking Star Tours attraction more than 30 years ago. It's brought joy to fans. And in 2012, George entrusted us with his extraordinary legacy, and as you can see, we take that responsibility very seriously. Now, I speak for everyone at Disney when I express deep gratitude to George for giving us that opportunity. And when I first met with our Imagineers to talk about Star Wars, my message was actually quite simple: do not be ambitious, be the most ambitious that you have ever been. After all, we are building on the legacy of two extraordinary visionaries: Walt Disney and George Lucas. And both of those men embody quality, innovation, and bold creativity. Both knew how to surprise people, actually both knew how to blow their minds with experiences unlike any that they had had before. And we knew that we had to walk in their footsteps and get this right for all who come to this happy place, particularly for those wonderful and passionate Star Wars fans. Sensing there are a few of you in the audience tonight. As I stand here tonight, I know that we built something special, but I also know something unique, something very Star Wars in its scale, technical sophistication, and its artistry. And we are thrilled to finally share it with the world. So I want to congratulate and thank Bob Chapek, our Chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, the President of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weiss, Scott Trowbridge, and Robin Reardon, the project lead, and our incredible Imagineers, along with the phenomenal team at Lucasfilm, the Disneyland cast, and the thousands of dedicated men and women who have given their time and talent to create this spectacular land. As you can see, Galaxy's Edge is absolutely amazing. And tonight, I am honored to have the man who started it all here with us for this historic occasion. Ladies and gentlemen, George Lucas.
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George Lucas6:49
Thank you, Bob. I'll first say you did a great job. Thank you very much. Well, it could have gone very bad, but it didn't as much. It's Star Tours on steroids, at a level you can't possibly believe. And I'd also like to thank all the Imagineers and others here that made this thing possible, because it's the first time that... I worked with the Imagineers a long time ago, and we did everything like it was in the olden days where it was very hard to do anything. So now the technology is here. This thing is amazing. It's really something you couldn't even dream about 20 years ago. So I hope you enjoy it. It was a great experience for me, and I think that it will change your life. Thank you.
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Robert Iger7:59
George was a little awestruck as we piloted the Millennium Falcon earlier. I will admit that we did that. You'll get your chance. Anyway, thanks George. And now I'd like to introduce a man who won our hearts as the charming rogue Lando Calrissian, Billy Dee Williams.
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Billy Dee Williams8:44
Yeah, hi. Thank you. It was really nice to see... that was my daughter who just came up with me. But thank you. I'm so really happy to be here. It's been almost 40 years since the last time I played Lando, though. You know, people keep asking me, how did I find Lando again? Well, Lando never left me. Being involved with the Star Wars has been incredibly rewarding to me, and certainly working with and being hired by this wonderful man was a very special part of my life. And thank you so much. Happy birthday. As you probably know, I was the original owner of the Millennium Falcon. Oh, this is amazing. You see her looking so good today. And I'm so excited for you. You're going to get to pilot the Falcon and experience your own adventures. You're going to love it just as much as I've loved being a part of this fantastic franchise. To all the fans out there, thank you. This land is for you.
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Robert Iger10:31
Thank you. Thanks, Billy Dee. Thank you. Now I would like to bring out someone who is near and dear to the hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere, and whose heroic journey captivated us for over four decades. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill.
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Mark Hamill11:10
Wow. Thank you. I have to tell you, the last time I was in a Disney park with George Lucas was for the opening, many moons ago, of Star Tours. And I thought to myself, this is inconceivable that I could be part of a movie that would get its own ride in a Disney theme park. I mean, I better savor the moment because it'll never be surpassed. And yet, look at where we are today. We get our own land. You know, Star Wars to me has always been the gift that keeps on giving. And the reason is because of you. Your parents tell you not to speak to strangers, and everywhere I go, people treat me like family. And the stories they tell me, their personal stories of seeing Star Wars or reading the books or playing the games or watching the animated series, whatever it is, they're so personal and so heartfelt. 'It got me through troubled times,' 'I was going through a terrible breakup,' 'My mother was sick,' 'I met my spouse online.' The stories they tell me are so heartfelt, and I can't tell you how grateful I am to have been a part of it, to be associated with the character that represents optimism and hope. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Walt Disney and especially George Lucas for teaching the world a new way to dream. Thank you so much.
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Robert Iger13:17
Thank you very much. Well, tonight is our first opportunity to join the inhabitants of the planet Batuu and live the adventure. So, well, show.
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Harrison Ford15:19
All right, can you help us out with this thing? Well, I'll give it a try. Bob, Peter, this one's for you.
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Host16:28
Ladies and gentlemen, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is now open.