Walt Disney Co. studio chief Dick Cook announced Friday he's stepping down immediately, after nearly four decades with the company.

Cook said in a statement he's been contemplating leaving the studio for some time and will be moving on to "new adventures." It wasn't immediately known who would replace him.

Cook's studio has come under intense scrutiny for the quality of its films. Recent movies, like "Race to Witch Mountain," "Bedtime Stories" and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" were box office disappointments.

Cook said he believed the studio's slate of upcoming movies is the best in its history.

Cook joined Disney in 1971 and moved up the ranks, becoming president of Buena Vista Pictures distribution in 1988. He became chairman of the studio in 2002.

"I have loved every minute of my 38 years that I have worked at Disney, from the beginning as a ride operator on Disneyland's steam train and monorail to my position as chairman of The Walt Disney Studios," he said.

Cook's creative instincts and showmanship enriched the company, Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said.

(Agencies via China Daily September 19, 2009)