In a recent interview, Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the lackluster box office results of the highly anticipated film, The Marvels, and attributed part of the blame to the impact of the ongoing pandemic. Speaking about the challenges faced during production, Iger acknowledged that the film was shot amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a reduced level of supervision on set.

"The Marvels was shot during Covid," Iger explained. "There wasn't as much supervision on the set, so to speak, where we have executives [that are] really looking over what's being done day after day after day."

Iger also recognized the changing landscape of entertainment consumption, asserting that the experience of accessing and watching films at home has improved significantly. He emphasized the affordability of streaming services like Disney+, which offers a plethora of content for as low as $7 a month, making it a cost-effective alternative to going to the theaters for a family outing.

"The experience of accessing [the films] and watching them in the home is better than it ever was," Iger stated. "And [it's] a bargain when you think about it. Streaming Disney+ you can get for $7 a month. That's a lot cheaper than taking your whole family to a film. So, I think the bar is now raised in terms of quality about what gets people out of their homes, into movie theaters."

Iger also emphasized the importance of entertainment prioritizing its primary purpose of providing enjoyment over delivering messages. While acknowledging the value of positive messages, he highlighted the danger of overwhelming storytelling in the pursuit of societal impact.

"Entertain first, not messages," Iger asserted. "And I'm not sure another studio will ever achieve some of the numbers that we achieved. I mean, we got to the point where if a film didn't do a billion dollars in global box office, we were disappointed. That's an unbelievably high standard, and I think we have to get more realistic."

Looking ahead, Disney has announced its upcoming slate of films for the next year, including highly anticipated titles such as Deadpool 3, Inside Out 2, and Mufasa: The Lion King. As the company adapts to the changing industry landscape, it remains to be seen how these releases will fare at the box office.

Despite the underwhelming performance of The Marvels, Disney continues to be a dominant force in the entertainment industry, with a legacy of record-breaking box office successes. As Bob Iger suggests a shift in expectations and a focus on delivering quality content, the company aims to navigate the evolving preferences of audiences and deliver captivating experiences both in theaters and through its streaming platform, Disney+.