
Well, that is not something you hear every day!
One of the hardest things about being in the entertainment industry is predicting if fans will like the content being produced. When studios are investing millions into a film or TV series, it is essential that fans like the content once it is released. No matter how good it is, fans will always find some criticism with anything.
Bob Iger is very used to facing criticism. As the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, he constantly hears public feedback. However, sometimes criticism comes from such an odd place that it makes it hard for Iger to forget.
The Strange Call That CEO Bob Iger Received From Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was known for his strong opinions and criticisms. Jobs was brilliant and connected and had no problem sharing his thoughts with his esteemed colleagues. This is precisely what he did after seeing Iron Man 2 with his son.
The character Iron Man was first brought to the big screen in 2008 with the release of the first Iron Man movie. The film was a huge success, giving Marvel Studios the confidence to launch a cinematic universe of the character. Robert Downey Jr. played the role of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who dons a high-tech suit to fight crime.
Iron Man 2 was released in 2010, and unlike the first, it was met with mixed reviews from fans and critics. The film was directed by Jon Favreau, who also directed the first Iron Man movie.
After Steve Jobs saw Iron Man 2, he was filled with very negative feelings about the film. He disliked it so much that he decided to call up Bob Iger to voice his disgust to the CEO firsthand. In Iger’s book, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, he discusses the interaction with Jobs. He wrote;
“When ‘Iron Man 2’ came out, Steve [Jobs] took his son to see it and called me the next day. ‘I took Reed to see ‘Iron Man 2′ last night,’ he said. ‘It sucked,’”
Despite Steve Jobs’ criticisms, Iron Man 2 became a financial success. The movie grossed over $600 million worldwide and established the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a formidable force in Hollywood.