George Lucas Backs Disney Board and Bob Iger Amid Proxy Fight: ‘Creating Magic Is Not for Amateurs’

variety.com:

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Star Wars mastermind George Lucas has come out with a statement in support of Disney‘s board and CEO Bob Iger, urging Mouse House shareholders to reject a bid by two activist investor groups to take seats on the media company’s board. “Creating magic is not for amateurs,” Lucas said in a statement released Tuesday. “When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago, I was delighted to become a Disney shareholder because of my longtime admiration for its iconic brand and Bob Iger’s leadership.” Lucas continued, “When Bob recently returned to the company during a difficult time, I was relieved.

No one knows Disney better. I remain a significant shareholder because I have full faith and confidence in the power of Disney and Bob’s track record of driving long-term value.

I have voted all of my shares for Disney’s 12 directors and urge other shareholders to do the same.” Under Iger, Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion.

Lucas had founded the company in 1971. At Disney’s 2024 annual shareholders meeting, to be held April 3, investors will vote on rival board candidate slates — Disney’s own 12-member lineup, Nelson Peltz’s Trian Partners nominees (Peltz and ex-Disney CFO Jay Rasulo) or three from investment firm Blackwells Capital.