Iger says Disney chased Twitter, Apple tie-up and James Bond rights
Bob Iger told the Financial Times that Disney considered several major deals during his tenure that ultimately did not happen.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Bob Iger says Disney examined several major deals during his long run as chief executive, including a possible Twitter purchase, early merger talks with Apple and an unsuccessful bid for the James Bond franchise. The comments offer a look at how far Disney considered expanding beyond its completed acquisitions as it built a larger media and streaming business.
Iger, who ended his Disney tenure a few months ago after about two decades leading the company, discussed the abandoned efforts in an exit interview with the Financial Times, according to The Verge. His time at Disney included major shifts for the entertainment company and a series of completed acquisitions, but the interview focused in part on deals that did not close.
Twitter deal was close before Disney walked away
Iger told the Financial Times that Disney came near to buying Twitter from co-founder Jack Dorsey before Elon Musk acquired the social media company in 2022 and later renamed it X, The Verge reported. Iger said the price was attractive, but he decided against the deal on the morning it was expected to move ahead.
According to Iger, Disney had considered using Twitter as a worldwide distribution outlet for its content. He said he dropped the plan because he worried the acquisition would pull Disney’s attention away from its core work, describing the platform as a potential distraction.
The decision came before Musk’s takeover of Twitter, which The Verge noted was followed by the platform’s rebranding as X. Iger did not say in the reported interview how far formal terms had advanced beyond his account that Disney had come close to buying the company.
Apple merger talks failed to gain traction
Iger also said Disney had early discussions about a possible merger with Apple, according to the Financial Times. He described the idea as potentially transformative, but said the talks did not progress because Apple showed limited interest.
The relationship between the companies ran through Iger’s own ties to Apple and Steve Jobs. The Verge reported that Iger served on Apple’s board from 2011 to 2019 and played a central role in Disney’s 2006 purchase of Pixar, which Jobs led at the time.
Iger told the Financial Times that his first call with Jobs quickly produced an agreement to bring Disney programming to Apple’s first video iPod. He said that deal helped build Jobs’ regard for him.
Disney also missed out on Bond
The Verge reported that Iger also confirmed Disney lost out on the James Bond franchise. The available account did not detail when Disney pursued the 007 property, who else was involved or what terms were discussed.
Together, the comments show the range of targets Disney considered under Iger beyond the deals it completed. Iger’s account, as reported by the Financial Times and The Verge, places Twitter, Apple and James Bond among the major opportunities Disney weighed but ultimately did not secure.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.