Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, has said that 40 percent of the movies on the studio’s upcoming slate are being directed by women.

Iger announced the news in a tweet.

“Many have contacted us about accepting the 4% challenge, but I’m proud to say 40% of @DisneyStudios’ upcoming movie slate is being directed by women and we are striving for more!” he wrote.

Many have contacted us about accepting the 4% challenge, but I’m proud to say 40% of @DisneyStudios’ upcoming movie slate is being directed by women and we are striving for more! — Robert Iger (@RobertIger) January 31, 2019





Though he didn’t list the projects he was referring to, nor the directors, the majority of its high profile movies for this year are being helmed by men, namely Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: Episode 9, Maleficent 2, Aladdin, Artemis Fowl, Jungle Cruise, Toy Story 4, Dumbo and The Lion King.

As far as female directors go, Captain Marvel is being directed by both Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the live-action Mulan is coming from Niki Caro, and Frozen 2 is en route from Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck.

But, presumably, for Iger to be able to make this statement, there must be several upcoming, unannounced titles with female directors attached.

Yahoo has contacted Disney for clarification.

The news is somewhat unfortunately timed, rather putting an announcement by Universal Studios this week in the shade.

It has just said that it plans to accept the ‘4 percent challenge’, a movement which is calling for studios to commit to hiring one female director over the next 18 months.

It said:

Universal Pictures’ Peter Cramer, Focus Features’ Peter Kujawski and DreamWorks Animation’s Margie Cohn proudly join their colleagues throughout the industry in accepting the #TIMESUP #4PercentChallenge. https://t.co/llVyB2W8Rn @TIMESUPNOW — Universal Pictures (@UniversalPics) January 29, 2019





It emerged in January that Iger’s annual pay packet at Disney was increasing by 80 percent, to $65.7 million, according to Deadline.

The company had earned $12.6 billion in its last fiscal year, with Iger at the helm, up 40 percent on the previous year.

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