Part 11/13:
A recurring theme is the departure of legendary talents—George Lucas, John Lasseter, Pixar innovators—whose insights were crucial to Disney’s Golden Age. Their exits, voluntary or otherwise, leave Disney with a depleted “brain trust,” handicapping future creativity.
The ‘Soft Boycott’ and Audience Erosion
Perhaps the most alarming development is the organic decline in consumer trust. Reports indicate that families are “soft boycotting” Disney—not through organized protests but via declining viewership and purchasing. Parents wary of Disney’s current content—perceived as overpoliticized, less family-friendly, and less compelling—are steering away from Disney-branded products.