Realistically? No. I think he’s something like 67 years old. I know that Iger came back in his 70s…but I think that is rare. Unless Rohde just really misses the work itself, I think he would likely remain retired.
Rohde isn’t retired though. He’s an “Experience Architect” for Virgin Galactic. How much work that really is, I have no idea, but presumably it is some and he’s getting paid. He could likely do the same at Disney if he wanted to return…
Oh, that’s a good point. I knew that, but forgot. Hmm.
In the very least, I’d love to see them use him in maybe a consultant role…where he advises future direction, etc. But, I still have my doubts he’d do it. I’d love to be wrong, though.
I think he didn’t really want to leave. How’s that?
Was he burned too badly? Has it been too long? I hope not.
It would make my Disney-Life decade if they announced his return.
Rohde is very active and still working in other capacities as @Damavs points out
But he’s an artist. Different mindset. I wouldn’t be surprised.
Reading the Orlando Sentinel article on his retirement, it almost sounded like he finished 3 major projects within like 3 months of each other, hadn’t started up another major project and decided it was a great time to leave and do some other things that interested him outside of Disney. Makes me wonder if those projects were staggered a little better if he picks up another one that interests him and he stays? But there’s probably more to it that we (or at least I) don’t know…
I SOOOOO hope you are right. I feel like that would go such a long way to helping rebuild the company image!!
I 100% believe it was related to the Chapek mandate that everyone move to - the now defunct plan of - Lake Nona, or leave the company.
I think anything that was said around his departure was to maintain optics and not burn bridges.
If Bob Iger is responsible for getting rid of Ike Perlmutter, then Bob Iger is now my hero!!!
The name of Ike Perlmutter and his old partner Bernie Marden has been a curse word in my family for over 40 years. A man of very questionable business ethics to say the least. My late father crossed paths with them in the early 1980s and it was not a pleasant experience.
Bye, Bye, Ike.
Well this is interesting. The old RCID board passed an agreement right before it ended, giving Disney full authority and makes future boards (Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) basically helpless. Disney may have outsmarted the current FL administration, but looks like a court battle.
Over on Uncensored, we’ve been whooping it up over this for awhile.
Oh boy! I must have that thread muted
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Good call. ![]()
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