Hundreds of characters, including Luke Skywalker, Mickey Mouse and Captain America, will be licensed to the generative AI platform Sora following a broad agreement between The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI.
The deal will see Disney invest $1 billion in OpenAI, a startup with a market capitalization of $500 billion. This is part of a three-year licensing agreement that allows the latter to feature the US studio’s IP in Sora.
More than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars will be available to Sora users to generate short, user-directed social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans and via Disney+.
Branded animations, masks and creature characters will be available, as well as costumes, props, vehicles and “iconic” environments. The agreement is expected to take effect in early 2026.
Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, and Mufasa will be available in the IP.
IP from the world of Encanto, Frozen, Inside Head, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up and zootopia It will be accessible along with Marvel and Lucasfilm characters. Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, Mandalorian, Stormtrooper and yoda.
The broad deal will allow ChatGPT Images to take word prompts from the same IP and turn them into fully generated images, but the deal does not include talent likeness or audio.
Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI and use its software to build new products, tools, and experiences, including Disney+. ChatGPT will also be available to employees.
Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI with the ability to purchase additional shares, making the US studio the first major content licensing partner for Sora.
The two companies “affirm their shared commitment to the responsible use of AI that protects the safety of users and the rights of creators,” it added.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the deal “expands the scope of storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their work. Rapid advances in AI come at an important time for our industry.”
He continued, “By bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s breakthrough technology, we are putting imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways never seen before, giving them a richer, more personal way to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, added that the agreement “expands the ways people create and experience great content.”
“This agreement demonstrates how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to foster innovation that benefits society, honors the importance of creativity, and helps works reach vast new audiences.”
The transaction is subject to the negotiation of a definitive agreement, necessary corporate and board approvals, and customary closing conditions.
A version of this story first appeared on Screen’s sister site Broadcast.
(Tag Translate) Artificial Intelligence
