Disney Opens Its Character Vault to OpenAI’s AI Video Push

The Walt Disney Co. and OpenAI reached a tentative three-year licensing agreement on Thursday that would allow OpenAI’s video model, Sora, to generate short, user-prompted clips featuring Disney-owned characters and environments.

If completed, the deal would give Sora access to more than 200 animated and non-human characters across Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, along with related costumes, props, vehicles, and settings.

The companies said the agreement excludes real actor likenesses and voices. OpenAI’s image tools would also be able to generate still images using the same intellectual property.

The arrangement extends beyond licensing. Disney plans to become a significant OpenAI customer, using its application programming interfaces to build internal tools and new consumer experiences, including potential features for Disney+. ChatGPT will also be rolled out for employee use.

Disney intends to make a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI and will receive warrants to purchase additional shares, the companies said. Both companies said they aim to establish guardrails for the “responsible use” of AI, including content safety and the protection of creator rights.

Curated selections of Sora-generated clips could appear on Disney+, and the first fan-generated videos using Disney characters are expected in early 2026.

Characters available for use would span franchises ranging from Mickey Mouse and Moana to Frozen, Toy Story, Marvel superheroes, and Star Wars figures such as Darth Vader and Yoda.

The agreement remains subject to board approvals and final documentation.