Even as the entertainment industry is reshaping, with Netflix announcing plans to acquire Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company on Thursday announced it has entered into a three-year licensing agreement with OpenAI. This will allow Sora, OpenAI’s generative video platform, to create short, user-prompted social videos featuring more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars.
The deal also includes a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, along with warrants to purchase additional equity. The transaction remains subject to definitive agreements, corporate and board approvals, and other closing conditions. Sora and ChatGPT Images are expected to begin generating Disney-licensed content in early 2026.
Under the agreement, Sora will generate short videos based on user prompts, using a library of animated, masked and creature characters, as well as costumes, props, vehicles and iconic environments.
The licence does not include any talent likenesses or voices. ChatGPT Images will also be able to generate images using the same intellectual property.
Disney+ will stream a curated selection of fan-inspired Sora videos, while both companies collaborate to build new subscriber experiences using OpenAI’s models. Disney will adopt OpenAI APIs across products, tools and internal workflows, including ChatGPT for employees.
Among the characters fans will be able to use are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba and Mufasa, as well as characters from Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up and Zootopia.
The licence will also include animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters such as Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, the Mandalorian, Stormtroopers and Yoda.
Both companies said the partnership includes a framework for responsible AI use. They said it focuses on user safety, protection of creator rights, age-appropriate policies, and systems to prevent illegal or harmful content.
“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” said Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
“Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, said, “Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content.”
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