Luke Skywalker, Mickey Mouse and Captain America are among hundreds of characters to be licensed to generative AI platform Sora, following a far-reaching agreement between the Walt Disney Company and OpenAI.
The deal will see Disney invest $1bn in OpenAI - a start-up valued at $500bn - as part of a three-year licensing pact that will allow the latter’s Sora to feature the US studio’s IP.
More than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars will be available to Sora users, who will be able to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be viewed and shared by fans and via Disney+.
Animated, masked and creature characters from the brands will be available, as will costumes, props, vehicles, and “iconic” environments. The deal is expected to take effect in early 2026.
Characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Lilo, Stitch, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba and Mufasa are among IP set to become available.
IP from the worlds of Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up and Zootopia will also be accessible, alongside Marvel and Lucasfilm characters like Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Loki, Thor, Thanos, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, the Mandalorian, Stormtroopers and Yoda.
The wide-ranging deal will allow ChatGPT Images to turn word prompts into fully generated images, drawing from the same IP, but the agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices.
Alongside the licensing agreement, Disney will become a major customer of OpenAI, using its software to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+. ChatGPT will also become available for employees.
Disney will make a $1bn equity investment in OpenAI and be able to purchase additional equity, with the US studios becoming the first major content licensing partner on Sora.
The two companies added that they would be “affirming a shared commitment to the responsible use of AI that protects user safety and the rights of creators.”
Disney chief exec, Bob Iger, said the “rapid advancement of AI marks an important moment for our industry” and the deal would “extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.”
He continued: “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.”
OpenAI co-founder and chief exec, Sam Altman, added that the agreement would “expand the way people create and experience great content.”
“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.”
The deal is subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements, required corporate and board approvals, and customary closing conditions.
A version of this story first appeared on Screen’s sister site, Broadcast.
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