Overview

• Variety reports that Walt Disney Studios has been pressing filmmakers for original concepts tailored to males ages 13–28, including globe-trotting adventures, treasure hunts and seasonal Halloween fare.
• David Greenbaum is spearheading the push across labels, with former Paramount executive Daria Cercek recently hired to help source and shape projects.
• Bob Iger said on a recent earnings call that the film group will not favor existing IP over original material, emphasizing that the priority is to release great movies.
• Disney’s broader youth-outreach effort includes a reported $1.5 billion equity stake tied to Fortnite’s ecosystem, though sources say the studio does not hold movie rights to Fortnite.
• Industry reporting points to potential slowdowns for Marvel and Star Wars after uneven results such as Fantastic Four: First Steps and a years-long gap in Star Wars films, even as Disney tallies multiple recent billion-dollar releases.