Key Points
- Three‑year licensing deal between Disney and OpenAI.
- Sora can generate videos featuring over 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters.
- Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI, with potential for additional funding.
- No talent likenesses or voices are included in the licensed content.
- Sora‑generated videos will be available on Disney+ starting early 2026.
- ChatGPT will be deployed for Disney employees as part of the partnership.
- Bob Iger and Sam Altman both praised the collaboration as responsible and innovative.
Agreement Overview
On Dec 11, 2025, Disney and OpenAI unveiled a three‑year licensing partnership that expands the capabilities of OpenAI’s Sora video generator. Under the agreement, Sora can create short, user‑prompted social videos that draw from a library of more than 200 characters spanning Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars. The collaboration also covers the ChatGPT Images feature, which can turn brief text prompts into fully generated images using the same intellectual property.
Scope of Content
The licensed characters include household names such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Ariel, Belle, Simba, Baymax, Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda and many others. While the agreement grants access to costumes, props, vehicles and iconic environments, it explicitly excludes talent likenesses and voices.
Financial Commitment and Operational Plans
Disney is committing a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, with the option to increase that amount in the future. The partnership designates Disney as a “major customer” of OpenAI’s APIs across its businesses and includes a plan to roll out ChatGPT for Disney employees, enhancing internal workflows.
Consumer Experience
Fans will be able to watch curated selections of Sora‑generated videos on Disney+. The companies also intend to collaborate on new experiences for Disney+ subscribers that leverage OpenAI’s models, aiming to create innovative ways to engage with Disney’s stories and characters. The first wave of fan‑inspired videos is slated to appear in early 2026.
Leadership Statements
Disney CEO Bob Iger described the partnership as a responsible extension of storytelling through generative AI, emphasizing respect for creators. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the agreement as an example of AI firms and creative leaders working together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society.
Source: theverge.com