Disney Succession Race Ends as Josh D’Amaro Becomes CEO Amid New Pirates Writer and Johnny Depp Updates

The long-standing speculation regarding who will take the reins at The Walt Disney Company has finally concluded. Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro has been officially named the next Chief Executive Officer, ending a high-stakes corporate contest that has captivated the entertainment industry for years. D’Amaro is set to assume the top leadership role on March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger, who will transition into a strategic advisory role until his retirement at the end of the year. This decision signals a clear vote of confidence in D’Amaro’s ability to lead, having successfully steered the company’s most profitable division through a period of massive global expansion and investment.

While D’Amaro takes the top spot, his primary rival for the position has secured a powerful new station within the company’s hierarchy. Dana Walden, previously the co-chair of Disney Entertainment, has been appointed to the newly created role of President and Chief Creative Officer. In this expanded capacity, Walden will report directly to D’Amaro and will have ultimate oversight over Disney’s storytelling engines, including its film, television, and streaming divisions. This restructuring aims to bridge the gap between operational excellence and creative output, ensuring that the studio’s content strategy remains robust under the new administration.

Amidst this leadership shuffle, significant developments are occurring within one of Disney’s dormant blockbuster franchises. Reports indicate that the studio has tapped a new writer to breathe life into the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, a property that has been in flux since the release of ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’. The addition of a fresh creative voice suggests that the studio is prioritizing the franchise’s revival as a key pillar of its future theatrical slate. For years, various scripts and reboot concepts have been rumored, but this latest move points to a concrete direction for the seafaring series.

The revitalization of the Pirates brand inevitably raises questions about the involvement of its original star, Johnny Depp. With Dana Walden now firmly in charge of the creative and film operations, the decision on whether to bring Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow rests largely on her shoulders. Industry insiders suggest that Walden’s new authority allows for a definitive verdict on the actor’s potential return, a topic that has divided fans and executives alike. As the studio looks to secure guaranteed hits for the coming years, the door for a legacy character’s return may be more open than previously thought.

Do you think Josh D’Amaro is the right choice to lead Disney, and would you like to see Johnny Depp return as Jack Sparrow under this new leadership? Share your thoughts in the comments.