Credit: DisneyFigment fans are feeling unsettled after Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, offered vague updates about the beloved purple dragon’s future at a recent shareholder meeting. While Figment has a dedicated cult following, fans are left wondering whether D’Amaro will finally invest in the character or remain underutilized, despite generating merchandise sales and nostalgia. Many hope for a new attraction or updates to the existing Journey Into Imagination with Figment ride at EPCOT, as well as the possibility of a feature film or streaming series.
Figment’s popularity is evident, especially with the annual release of a popcorn bucket during the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, which creates chaos as fans line up for hours. Even though he has his own meet-and-greet at EPCOT, fans want more substantial content that elevates Figment to the level of recognition Disney gives major film characters.
The Shareholder Meeting Response
During Disney’s recent shareholder meeting, new Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro answered a question about whether Figment might get his own movie or if we would see more Figment in the parks, but his answer was pretty vague and noncommittal, frustrating fans who were hoping for concrete announcements about Figment projects. D’Amaro said “I don’t have anything new to announce at this time, but I can assure you that we’re always exploring new ways for guests to engage with Figment and our other characters that fans love so much,” providing corporate response that acknowledges Figment’s popularity without making any specific commitments to films, attraction updates, or expanded presence in the parks.
🐉 Figment fans, we asked… and Disney answered (sort of)!
— Chip and Company (@4chipandcompany) March 19, 2026
During the latest shareholder meeting, CEO Josh D’Amaro was asked if a Figment movie could ever happen.
He praised the beloved EPCOT dragon as a timeless fan favorite who continues to inspire imagination across genera… pic.twitter.com/sRtL5AFxMn
So that is not necessarily a “yes,” but it is also not a “no” as the response leaves open the possibility that Figment projects could be in development but are not ready to be announced publicly, though it also could mean that Disney has no concrete plans for the character beyond continuing the status quo of merchandise releases and the existing EPCOT attraction. The vague response disappointed Figment fans who had hoped that D’Amaro’s background as a parks person who understands guest attachment to park-specific characters would translate into more aggressive investment in characters like Figment, who exist primarily within the Disney Parks ecosystem rather than originating from major film franchises.
The Failed Figment Movie Development
Fun fact, though, at one point, a Figment movie was in the works with Seth Rogen at the helm of the project, representing a high-profile attempt to bring the character to theatrical audiences through collaboration with a successful comedy actor and producer who has worked on multiple projects for Disney and other studios. We never heard anything about that movie after the initial announcement though so it is possible Disney is not moving forward with it, with the project apparently dying in development either because the creative team could not crack the story, because Disney decided the character did not have sufficient mainstream appeal to justify the budget required for theatrical animated feature, or because other projects took priority in Disney’s increasingly crowded production slate.
The fact that a Figment movie was in development at one point demonstrates that Disney has at least considered expanding the character beyond the parks, though the apparent cancellation or indefinite shelving of that project suggests that institutional support for Figment films may not be as strong as fan enthusiasm would suggest. Seth Rogen’s involvement suggested a potentially irreverent or comedic take on the character that might have updated Figment for contemporary audiences while maintaining the core themes of imagination and creativity that define the character.
“I love the fact that there is so much adoration for Figment,” D’Amaro says https://t.co/uQhUOIZtFF
— The Daily Disney (@TheDailyDisney) March 19, 2026
The Cameo Appearances
But Figment has already made his big-screen “debut” through cameo appearances rather than starring roles, as he made a cameo in 2015’s Inside Out and in 2019’s Toy Story 4, appearing as Easter eggs that reward Disney Parks fans who recognize the character while not requiring mainstream audiences unfamiliar with EPCOT to understand who Figment is or why he matters. These cameos demonstrate that Pixar and Disney animation teams are aware of Figment and willing to include him in films as references and Easter eggs, though cameos are very different from the starring role in a feature film that would introduce Figment to global audiences and establish him as a major Disney character rather than a cult favorite known primarily to Disney Parks enthusiasts.
The cameo approach allows Disney to acknowledge Figment’s existence and please dedicated fans without committing the resources and creative energy required to develop a full Figment film, representing safe middle ground that does not risk the budget and marketing investment required for theatrical release while also not ignoring the character completely.
The Attraction That Needs Updating
Many fans are hoping for an update to EPCOT’s Journey Into Imagination with Figment, which has remained unchanged since 2002. A modern version could revitalize interest in Figment by showcasing updated technology and storytelling while retaining the themes of creativity and imagination.
Central to the original charm was Dreamfinder, Figment’s creator, who was removed during a poorly received 1999 redesign. His absence has left a gap in the attraction’s emotional resonance. Fans have long campaigned for Dreamfinder’s return, either through a complete redesign or updates that integrate him into the current layout. Reintroducing Dreamfinder could enhance the character dynamic and enrich the storytelling experience.
The Figment Cult Following
Many Disney fans would say that Figment has a cult following that rivals or exceeds the devotion shown to many characters from major Disney film franchises, with Figment fans being passionate, vocal, and willing to spend money on merchandise, special events, and experiences featuring the character. The annual EPCOT Festival of the Arts has become a de facto Figment celebration with exclusive merchandise, special food offerings, and character appearances that draw crowds specifically to see and purchase Figment content.
The cult following exists despite Figment having relatively limited mainstream exposure compared to characters from films like Frozen, Moana, or Encanto, who benefit from global theatrical releases, streaming availability, soundtrack success, and integrated marketing campaigns. Figment’s popularity stems almost entirely from the EPCOT attraction and the nostalgia it generates among guests who visited the park as children and formed emotional attachments to the character and the imagination themes he represents.
Sounds like to me Josh D'Amaro was strongly hinting at a Figment announcement at this year's D23 Expo
— Shaun Ranks the Mouse (@rankingthemouse) March 18, 2026
The Disappointment of Figment Fans
The new Disney CEO has been in the role for only a few days and is already upsetting Figment fans by offering vague corporate responses rather than concrete commitments to character development, attraction updates, or film projects that would address years of fan requests for expanded Figment content.