The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI have reached a landmark agreement that will bring more than 200 beloved characters from Disney’s portfolio to OpenAI’s Sora generative AI video platform. The licensing arrangement is designed to allow fans to create short, user‑prompted videos featuring characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, drawing on costumes, props, vehicles and iconic environments from those franchises.
Disney’s characters appearing through the agreement will span animated classics and modern hits, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, Ariel, Baymax, Simba, and many others. A curated selection of user‑generated videos will also be made available for streaming on Disney’s Disney+ service, extending the creative experience beyond the Sora platform.
The deal includes a significant financial commitment from Disney, which will make an approximately $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI and receive warrants to acquire additional equity as part of the partnership. Disney will also become a major customer of OpenAI technology, using its APIs to build new products, tools and experiences, including enhancements for Disney+ and internal use of generative AI across the company.
Under the licensing terms, the agreement does not grant OpenAI rights to original actor likenesses or voices tied to the characters, and the use of these characters is subject to guardrails and controls to protect creative rights and user safety. Both companies have emphasised their commitment to responsible use of AI and to protecting the rights of creators while enabling new forms of fan creativity.
This collaboration marks a milestone in the entertainment industry’s engagement with generative AI, signalling a new model for how major content owners and technology platforms can work together to expand storytelling possibilities while addressing concerns around copyright and ethical use of artificial intelligence.
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 A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “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.”
