The Walt Disney Co. said Thursday it reached a three‑year licensing agreement with OpenAI that will bring more than 200 characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars to Sora, OpenAI’s generative video platform.
The deal, set to begin in early 2026, allows users to create short videos featuring Disney’s heroes, villains and environments. Disney also will invest $1 billion in OpenAI and adopt ChatGPT internally, while using OpenAI’s APIs to develop new products and interactive experiences.
Disney CEO Bob Iger called the partnership a pivotal moment for the entertainment industry, saying the company aims to expand its storytelling reach through generative AI while protecting creators and intellectual property. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described Disney as the “global gold standard for storytelling.”
The agreement excludes the images and voices of Hollywood actors who portrayed the characters. It remains subject to board approvals and closing conditions.
