The Walt Disney Company has announced a major three-year partnership with OpenAI that will bring more than 200 of its iconic characters into Sora, OpenAI’s AI-powered video generation tool. As part of the agreement, Disney will also invest $1 billion in OpenAI.
Launched in September, Sora allows users to generate short videos from simple text prompts. With this new partnership, users will be able to incorporate animated characters, costumes, props, vehicles, and designs from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars into their creations.
Characters available for use will include classics like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Simba, Baymax, Ariel and favorites from Frozen, Encanto, Zootopia, Inside Out, and Toy Story. Fans will also be able to use animated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters such as Iron Man, Black Panther, Deadpool, Captain America, Groot, Darth Vader, Han Solo, and Stormtroopers.
These characters will also be available through ChatGPT Images, allowing users to create visual content inside ChatGPT using text prompts.
Disney emphasized that the deal does not include any actor likenesses or voices.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the collaboration marks a significant moment for the entertainment industry as AI continues to evolve. “We will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works,” he said.
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In addition to character access, Disney says it will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its APIs to develop new tools, products, and experiences,including features for Disney+.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called Disney “the global gold standard for storytelling,” adding that the partnership demonstrates how creative and AI industries can collaborate responsibly to expand access to great content.
The move comes as Disney remains protective of its intellectual property. The company recently sued AI platform Midjourney over alleged unauthorized use of its characters, and sent a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI demanding removal of Disney-related chatbots. However, the new agreement shows Disney is not fully shutting out AI platforms, instead, it is choosing strategic partnerships that provide more control.
