The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have reached a three-year licensing agreement allowing users to generate videos with Disney-owned characters in Sora. The videos will also come to Disney+.

Disney & OpenAI Deal

As part of the deal, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI and receive warrants to purchase additional equity.

Sora is a generative AI video platform allowing users to make short-form social videos. It will now be able to draw on over 200 animated, masked, and creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, including costumes, props, vehicles, and environments. ChatGPT Images will also draw on the same IPs. The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices.

A selection of the fan-inspired short form videos from Sora will be available to stream on Disney+, which CEO Bob Iger previously alluded to.

Disney and OpenAI “affirm a shared commitment to responsible use of AI that protects the safety of users and the rights of creators,” said a press release. The companies “will advance human-centered AI that respects the creative industries and expands what is possible for storytelling.”

Disney will also use OpenAI’s APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploy ChatGPT for its employees.

“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” Iger said. “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.  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.”

“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,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”

Disney characters are expected to be available in Sora and ChatGPT in early 2026. Characters include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, Mufasa, as well as characters from the worlds of Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up, and Zootopia. There will be animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters like Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, the Mandalorian, Stormtroopers, Yoda, and more.

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