Inside 'Disney Worldbuilders': Leslie Iwerks on Her Family’s Disney Legacy
Newsweek · C · trust 42/100
Leslie Iwerks recently joined Newsweek to talk about Disney Worldbuilders , her new Disney+ documentary that goes inside the making of the theme-park attractions inspired by some of Disney’s most celebrated films. The feature-length film explores the creative process that transforms cinematic worlds into immersive experiences, offering a rare look at the artists, engineers, and storytellers who bring Disney magic to life.
"To be in this part of my life now, full-circle documenting a lot of the people that are continuing to create the magic, I think, is really special for me," Iwerks said.
For Iwerks, the project is deeply personal. While speaking to Newsweek for our "Newsmakers Impact" interview series, the filmmaker reflected on growing up in one of Disney’s most influential creative families. Her grandfather, Ub Iwerks, was the animator behind the original Mickey Mouse and co-creator of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a character now returning in Jon Favreau’s upcoming television series. His groundbreaking contributions helped establish the foundation of Disney animation during its earliest years.
Her father, Don Iwerks, also played a major role in Disney history. An engineer and inventor, he helped pioneer 360-degree camera systems and other landmark technological innovations that transformed how audiences experience films and theme-park attractions. His work pushed the boundaries of immersive storytelling and influenced generations of Disney Imagineers.
"My dad taught me a lot when I was young, a lot of great morals," Iwerks remembered about her dad. "He taught me about imagination, he taught me about innovation.”
Beyond the professional influence of her father and grandfather, Iwerks also talked about the important role her mother, Betty, played in shaping her life and career. She shared memories of growing up around Disney studios and backlots, where creativity and curiosity were constant parts of daily life.
“It was kind of home for me, and I used to look forward to going with my dad on weekends to check it out and roam free,” Iwerks said of her experiences on the Disney lots. Those early adventures, she explained, helped nurture her love of storytelling and eventually led her to become an award-winning documentary filmmaker known for chronicling creative visionaries and groundbreaking innovations.
Disney Worldbuilders highlights the collaboration between filmmakers and Disney Imagineers as they translate iconic stories into real-world attractions. The film explores how directors such as James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Pete Docter, and Jennifer Lee helped bring worlds from Avatar, Star Wars , Monsters, Inc. , and Frozen were translated from the screen into immersive experiences for millions of visitors.
The documentary ultimately serves as both a celebration of Disney creativity and a tribute to a whole generations of innovators—a legacy that Iwerks knows better than most.
Watch Newsweek' s full interview with Iwerks up above.
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