There has been a major change at Disney, as Sean Bailey, who has been the President of Walt Disney Motion Picture Studios for a long time, is resigning from his position. Bailey has been an integral part of Disney since 2010 and has been in charge of the studio’s live-action department for nearly 15 years.
Sean Bailey is a well-known American film and television producer who previously held the position of President at Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production from 2010 to 2024. He started his career in the film industry as a co-founder and executive of LivePlanet. He also served as an executive producer for “The Emperor’s Club”, the Emmy Award-nominated “Project Greenlight”, and “Push, Nevada”, which he co-wrote with Ben Affleck. Additionally, he has produced several movies including “Best Laid Plans”, “Matchstick Men”, and “Gone Baby Gone”¹. From 2004 to 2008, Bailey continued as a chairman and board member of LivePlanet while under a writing-producing deal at ABC Studios.
In 2010, Alan F. Bailey was appointed as the President of Production at Walt Disney Studios. His primary responsibility was to oversee the production of live-action films by Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures. During his tenure, Bailey implemented a tentpole film strategy that included an extensive range of big-budget films, such as franchise sequels, original movies, and live-action adaptations of animated classics.
Bailey was responsible for managing the release of five movies that grossed over $1 billion in the global box office. These movies were “Alice in Wonderland”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, and “The Lion King”. The last one, in particular, earned almost $1.7 billion worldwide.
Bailey established his reputation as a partner of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in the trio’s LivePlanet banner. He produced Affleck’s feature directorial debut, the well-regarded 2007 thriller “Gone, Baby, Gone.”
Bailey’s time at Disney was characterized by a few underwhelming box-office performances. However, he oversaw the production of several successful films while also changing the studio’s approach to producing live-action adaptations of their beloved animated classics. In 2024, he left Disney, bringing an end to an era, but his impact on the live-action division of the company will likely continue to be felt for years to come.
David Greenbaum, who previously co-ran Searchlight Pictures with Matthew Greenfield, is set to take over the role of Chairman at Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. In his new role, Greenbaum will lead a combined studio group that will be home to both iconic film brands, producing a robust collection of original and legacy projects unique to each for both theatrical release and streaming.
Greenbaum’s new title will be President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, and he will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. Steve Asbell will continue to serve as President of 20th Century Studios.
The departure of the current Chairman of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, Alan F. Horn and Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, had been rumored for several weeks, with Toby Emmerich’s name floating to the top of the list as the executive most likely to replace them.
As Disney undergoes a significant transition, all eyes in the industry are fixated on the leadership of Greenbaum and how he will shape the future of Disney’s live-action and 20th Century Studios divisions. Being at the helm of one of the world’s most prominent media conglomerates, Greenbaum is tasked with navigating the fast-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, driving innovation, and delivering top-notch content that resonates with audiences worldwide. As the stakes are high, Greenbaum’s ability to steer Disney through these challenging times with finesse and creativity will be closely monitored by industry experts and fans alike.
