Disney Strikes Landmark Deal With OpenAI To Bring Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar & More To Sora

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Disney and OpenAI have partnered to allow Disney’s popular characters to be created and featured in videos generated by OpenAI’s Sora AI platform.

This groundbreaking partnership allows Sora to generate brief social media videos based on user requests, showcasing over 200 characters and settings from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, as well as various vehicles and objects.

This collaboration will enable ChatGPT Images to create complete images using Disney’s intellectual property. Disney has confirmed that the agreement does not include the use of any actor’s likeness or voice.

Fan-Created AI Videos Coming to Disney+

A curated selection of Sora-generated fan videos will stream on Disney+ starting in early 2026.

Viewers can now make and share short videos using beloved characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. This includes favorites like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Disney princesses, characters from films like Encanto and Frozen, plus Marvel heroes like Black Panther and Iron Man, and Star Wars icons like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker – and many, many more!

Disney and OpenAI are teaming up to create new, AI-driven features for Disney+ users, powered by OpenAI’s technology.

Disney Makes $1 Billion Investment in OpenAI

In addition to a three-year partnership, Disney will be a significant user of OpenAI’s services and will make ChatGPT available for its employees to use internally.

Disney is putting $1 billion into OpenAI, and as part of the deal, they’ll also have the option to buy even more shares in the future.

Commitment to “Responsible AI”

Both companies highlight that the agreement strongly protects copyrights, the rights of content creators, user safety, and the unique qualities of people’s voices. OpenAI has also committed to improving and strengthening its systems for ensuring safety and trustworthiness.

As a lifelong movie fan, I thought it was really cool when Disney’s Bob Iger described their new partnership as a game-changer. He said it’s going to let us experience our favorite characters in completely new and exciting ways – something we’ve never gotten to do before, which, honestly, is a pretty big deal!

According to Robert Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, technology has always been central to how entertainment evolves and how stories are told. He sees the latest advances in artificial intelligence as a significant turning point for the industry. Disney’s partnership with OpenAI will allow them to explore how generative AI can enhance storytelling in a careful and ethical way, always prioritizing the rights of creators. By combining Disney’s beloved stories and characters with OpenAI’s innovative technology, Disney aims to give fans new and more engaging ways to experience and connect with the characters and worlds they cherish.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted Disney’s excellence in storytelling, calling them a worldwide leader. He also emphasized that their collaboration demonstrates a responsible way for creative professionals and AI technology to be used together.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that Disney sets the standard for storytelling worldwide, and he’s thrilled that their partnership will help people create and enjoy content in new ways using Sora and ChatGPT Images. He believes this collaboration demonstrates how AI companies and creative businesses can responsibly innovate, value creativity, and broaden the reach of artistic works.

Early 2026 Launch Window

Disney anticipates fans will start creating videos inspired by its characters and stories using Sora and ChatGPT images around early 2026, assuming final approvals are received and all necessary steps are completed.

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2025-12-11 17:32