OpenAI and The Walt Disney Company have entered a three-year licensing and investment agreement that brings one of the entertainment industry’s largest character libraries into OpenAI’s generative video platform, Sora. The deal will allow users to generate short AI-created videos and images featuring more than 200 Disney characters across Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
A New Phase Of AI-Driven Fan Creativity
Under the agreement, OpenAI receives rights to use Disney’s visual assets, character designs, environments and props for Sora and ChatGPT’s AI image tools. This means users will be able to type prompts and generate animated content featuring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Iron Man, Elsa, Simba and many more.
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The deal covers visuals and environments but does not include original actor likenesses or voice recordings, ensuring that characters like Darth Vader or Cinderella appear only in animated form without recreating the performances behind them.
Disney Invests In OpenAI
As part of the partnership, Disney will make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, along with warrants to purchase additional shares. The company also plans to adopt OpenAI’s APIs to build new digital features for Disney+ and to support internal workflow tools powered by ChatGPT.
Disney intends to highlight fan creations as well, with a curated selection of AI-generated videos expected to appear on Disney+.
Character Library Now Accessible
Users will be able to generate videos and images featuring characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, and characters from Frozen, Toy Story, Inside Out and more. Marvel and Star Wars favourites such as Captain America, Black Panther, Deadpool, Darth Vader, Iron Man, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, Stormtroopers, Spider-Man and Yoda are also included.
This collaboration follows previous concerns from Japanese anime studios over unlicensed character usage in generative content, which surfaced when OpenAI received a letter from CODA, the organisation representing Studio Ghibli and others.
A Strategic Step For Both Companies
Beyond licensing, the agreement expands Disney’s use of AI for creative tools and production workflows, setting the stage for what future storytelling and viewer experiences could look like on its platforms.
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Speaking on the partnership, Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company, said, “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.”