Ex-Marvel Executive Sues Disney, Alleges He Was Denied Promotion Due to Race
In 2009, Marvel Studios officially became part of The Walt Disney Company, bringing iconic superheroes like Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man, and Thor into the Disney fold. Since then, Disney has earned over $13 billion from Marvel’s movies and TV shows.
Audiences have flocked to theaters for smash hits such as Black Panther (2018), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
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In fact, six of the top ten highest-grossing films in Disney’s history are Marvel movies, with Avengers: Endgame (2019) being the company’s highest-grossing theatrical release.
While the collaboration between Marvel and Disney has been highly profitable, not everyone is pleased with the changes following the acquisition. The Walt Disney Company has found itself at the center of a legal battle after former Marvel executive Robert Steffens filed a lawsuit against the entertainment giant.
Steffens, who served as Marvel’s Chief Financial Officer and co-president, claims he was denied a promotion due to his race and for objecting to what he describes as discriminatory hiring practices at Disney.
The Lawsuit Against Disney
Steffens filed his lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that he was passed over for the role of President of Disney Consumer Products, a position he had expected to receive. Instead, the job was given to another executive, whom Steffens claims was chosen based on diversity initiatives rather than qualifications.
According to Steffens, then-Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter—who was fired from Disney in 2023—told him that former Disney CEO Bob Chapek blocked his promotion because he was “another old white guy.”
The lawsuit further alleges that Disney engaged in “an official effort to promote vice presidents based on their race” and that company documents included references to employees using the racial signifier ‘BIPOC.’
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Though she is not named in the lawsuit, Tasia Filippatos is the current president of Disney Consumer Products. Her LinkedIn profile indicates she has held this role since May 2022. Before that, she was the Vice President of Disney Consumer Products for Europe, Africa, and Russia for four years.
Fox News Reports on Steffens’ Claims
A report from Fox News elaborated on the details of Steffens’ accusations:
“Steffens alleged that he was also denied the promotion for objecting to other incidents of racial discrimination that he witnessed at the House of Mouse in the past. The former Marvel executive claimed that Disney was engaged in an ‘official effort to promote vice presidents based on their race and a memorandum that would have referred to employees with the racial signifier ‘BIPOC.’”
Disney’s actions were “willful, wanton, malicious, intentional, oppressive and despicable and were done in willful and conscious disregard of the rights, welfare and safety of [Steffens],” the complaint stated.
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Disney’s Changing Stance on DEI Initiatives
This lawsuit comes at a time when Disney has reportedly begun scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including its high-profile “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative. The program, which aimed to amplify underrepresented voices, was reduced after a shift in corporate priorities and political pressure.
According to reports, Disney was forced to step back from some DEI initiatives following an executive order from President Donald Trump, who deemed such programs discriminatory.
While Disney has not directly commented on Steffens’ lawsuit, the company has continued to adjust its approach to workplace policies and hiring practices.
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As of now, Disney has not publicly addressed the lawsuit, and it remains to be seen how the case will unfold in court. Given the high-profile nature of the company and the ongoing national conversation around DEI policies, this case could set a precedent for corporate diversity practices moving forward.
Was Steffens unfairly denied a promotion due to his race, or is this simply a case of corporate restructuring? The lawsuit will likely reveal more details as it progresses.
