The fallout from Bob Chapek's ouster at Disney continues, with his comments about animation reportedly undermining Disney and Pixar employees.

The Wall Street Journal cited people close to the situation who said Chapek alienated people in Disney and Pixar's animation departments during his tenure with The Walt Disney Company. In a moment that many employees saw as debasing the brand, he insisted during an interview at a Wall Street Journal conference that adults don't watch Disney's animated efforts. Members of the animation team heard the comments and felt Chapek compromised the value of their product, which has long been a staple of Disney since it was founded in 1923.

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Chapek's unfavorable comments about animation are the latest in a slew of controversies surrounding the Chicago native in the months leading to his exit, which was confirmed on Nov. 21 when it was announced Bob Iger was stepping out of retirement to retake his place as CEO. Yet, the outgoing boss' fall from grace reportedly started when Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit alleging Chapek sacrificed the box officer success of her Black Widow film to boost Disney+. They eventually settled the matter out of court in September 2021 for an undisclosed amount.

Another controversy that plagued Chapek during his two-year reign as chief executive officer was his response to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, signed by the state's governor Ron DeSantis in March, banning the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to Grade 3 in local schools. Disney initially spoke out against the ban but didn't condemn it, leading to a PR nightmare for the company and Chapek issuing a more definitive statement following widespread criticism.

RELATED: Why Disney's Sudden Decision to Drop Bob Chapek as CEO Shocked Hollywood

Chapek Accused of Undermining Disney

Furthermore, Chapek asserted this past October that Disney+ was drastically underpriced despite the fact the cost of Disney's streaming service is expected to increase by 38% in December. Then, on Nov. 8, during a Q4 earnings call, he reportedly tried to paint of encouraging picture of Disney's finances, relaying that the company made a record $28 billion in profit despite the fact they weren't profitable overall. Disney's stock plummeted once the earnings reports were publicized.

Creatives were also unhappy under Chapek's watch as several lost power or were fired. Consequently, Iger, following his return to Disney, announced he will put decision-making in the hands of creatives to help recapture their mystique. The return of Iger, who was previously CEO from September 2005 to February 2020, led Disney's stock prices to spike shortly after the announcement. The relationship between Disney's last two bosses was a frosty one as Iger badmouthed Chapek in private conversations and regretted naming him as CEO when he stepped down.

However, the future of Disney with Iger in charge remains unknown. Despite his promises to creatives and the earning potential he could bring to the company, there is speculation Iger may sell Disney to Apple, given his relationship with the technology brand and friendship with its late founder Steve Jobs. Thus, the leadership turnover won't quickly solve Disney's woes.

Source: Wall Street Journal