The latest inside scoop indicates that Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, is using her remaining clout to advocate for Disney CEO Bob Iger to receive an Honorary Oscar. This move comes at a time when the Academy is in discussions about their next broadcast agreement with ABC, which is owned by Disney.
Based on reports from Variety, Kennedy is reportedly making efforts to persuade Academy board members to endorse Iger for one of this year’s esteemed honorary awards. These honors are typically handed out at the Governors Awards in November. It is said that Kennedy has been emphasizing Iger’s significant impact on the film industry during recent membership meetings, highlighting Disney’s massive acquisitions of Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm as examples.
It seems that Kennedy feels Iger is Oscar-worthy due to his impressive acquisitions of numerous high-value properties. (In a fan’s perspective: I think Kennedy believes Iger should win an Oscar for snagging some pricey real estate.)
It’s important to point out that Bob Iger isn’t the only Disney executive to receive this kind of recognition. In fact, Walt Disney himself was given several Honorary Oscars throughout his life. The first one came in 1932 for the creation of Mickey Mouse. He became even more renowned when he received a special Oscar in 1939 for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which included a full-sized statuette and seven miniature ones. Disney was also honored for technical innovation on Fantasia in 1942. Later, he was bestowed with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for his exceptional work in producing.
In light of the company’s deep roots in Tinsel Town history, an Honorary Oscar for Iger would create a symbolic bond to Walt’s legacy, offering Iger a counterpart award that his predecessor, Michael Eisner, did not receive.
As a devoted admirer, it’s intriguing to consider whether Kennedy (or Iger, if he’s the speaker) is intentionally or unintentionally forging this connection. Some inside the Academy are speculating that this move transcends mere recognition; they believe it’s about establishing Iger as a peer and contemporary of the company’s founder, securing his position in the industry’s most illustrious group.
It seems that Kennedy is taking independent actions, not necessarily prompted by Iger’s requests. Interestingly, Bob Iger is the same individual who had a multi-billion dollar structure in the bustling Manhattan center named after him.
Nevertheless, the appearance of this initiative is sparking skepticism among members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The moral dilemmas aren’t solely due to Kennedy’s personal ties with Iger, but also because of the complex business links between Disney and the Oscars themselves.
ABC, a network owned by Disney, has traditionally hosted the Academy Awards. The Academy is now discussing the renewal of their contract to continue airing the Oscars past 2028, which will be its centennial ceremony. Some people believe that asking a Disney CEO for an honorary Oscar during these negotiations might create awkward questions about power and fairness.
At first glance, Kennedy advocating for Iger to receive an honorary Oscar might seem harmless, but when considering the blend of personal influence, TV rights negotiations, and political intricacies within institutions, it’s far from a straightforward matter.
A representative from AMPAS chose not to provide comments, and neither Kennedy nor Iger have publicly addressed the matter concerning the lobbying attempt. However, an Academy insider dismissed the uproar, mentioning that advocating for honorary Oscars isn’t uncommon, although some within the organization are quietly questioning Kennedy’s intentions.
Kennedy, together with producing partner Frank Marshall, was bestowed the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award by the Academy in 2018. Although this award doesn’t resemble a standard Oscar statuette, it solidified Kennedy’s place among Hollywood’s most honored producers, boasting eight competitive Oscar nominations for films such as E.T., The Color Purple, Seabiscuit, and The Sixth Sense.
Nonetheless, her tenure at Lucasfilm has been met with considerable disagreement. On one hand, early ventures such as “The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One” generated enormous box office earnings. However, in more recent times, the film development process seems to have slowed down, there’s a shift towards streaming platforms, and criticism from fans has arisen over productions like “The Acolyte” and “Skeleton Crew”.
Remarkably, it’s been since 2019 that a theatrical Star Wars film has been shown. This is about to shift with the upcoming movie featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, as well as the Ryan Gosling-led Starfighter project—however, these are considered late additions given the missed opportunities over several years.
This lobbying initiative might align with Kennedy’s attempts to secure her lasting impact at Lucasfilm. It’s worth noting that, as previously reported, she is anticipated to depart from Lucasfilm by the end of 2025; however, she has hinted at succession planning without providing a specific deadline.
The upcoming 2025 Honorary Oscar recipients from the Academy are creating quite a stir, with many wondering if Robert Iger’s name will be included among them. Moreover, the close relationship between Kennedy, Iger, and ABC is under increased examination. For now, the blend of corporate influence, personal ties, and Hollywood’s most prestigious awards continues to grab attention.
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2025-06-17 14:56