Not-so-magic kingdom: Epic Games, Taylor Frankie Paul and OpenAI pose challenges to new Disney CEO in first week on job
New Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro’s first week on the job has been anything but smooth-sailing as two separate billion-dollar tech deals abruptly crumbled and ABC cancelled reality star Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” amid domestic violence allegations.Shares in Disney dipped 0.5% Wednesday on news a three-year partnership with OpenAI – including a $1 billion investment from Disney – was dissolving after the tech firm announced it was shuttering its Sora video generator just months after its launch.Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games – which was led by D’Amaro, who previously ran the Mouse House’s theme parks, consumer products and games – faced uncertainty as the video game maker axed 1,000 jobs this week after its new Fortnite games flopped with fans.“Josh got picked [as CEO] on Epic Games and on AI and technology and ‘risk taking’ — which is pretty funny since he has never taken a career risk in his life after 23 years working his way up step by step in parks and resorts,” a former Disney exec told The Post on Wednesday.“OpenAI and Epic Games are supposedly key to Disney’s future — unless they aren’t — so what is the future?” the source added.As for what D’Amaro can do to right the ship, the ex-exec said he could “shape and articulate an actual plan besides vague platitudes.”Disney did not immediately answer a request for comment.D’Amaro had looked to tech and gaming to bolster Disney, which is facing hurdles such as declining cable viewership.His mandate includes reviving lackluster Marvel and “Star Wars” movie franchises and growing the company’s parks and cruise offerings without pricing out customers.Adding to D’Amaro’s woes is a financial and PR black eye over the Disney-owned ABC reality show “The Bachelorette.” The network last week pulled the plug on “The Bachelorette” after video surfaced of Paul, known for “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” hurling chai...