Mickey, Marvel and Star Wars Are Coming to OpenAI’s Sora

Disney is making a bold $1 billion investment in OpenAI and opening its iconic character library — from Mickey Mouse and Ariel to Iron Man and Darth Vader — to the startup’s Sora AI video generator. The three-year licensing deal marks one of the most significant alliances between Hollywood and an AI developer to date.

Beginning next year, Sora users will be able to generate short-form videos featuring more than 200 copyrighted Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters, the companies said. The partnership arrives as media giants face both opportunity and legal uncertainty amid the rapid rise of generative AI.

Disney Makes a Strategic Bet on AI

“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said, adding that the company aims to expand storytelling “thoughtfully and responsibly.”

As part of the agreement, Disney will receive warrants to purchase additional equity in OpenAI and will become one of its major enterprise customers. The company is already deploying ChatGPT internally and plans to build new tools and creative workflows on top of OpenAI technology.

IP Access Amid Ongoing Copyright Battles

Disney’s move is notable because it comes during a wave of copyright disputes involving AI platforms. The company recently sent Google a cease and desist letter alleging unauthorized use of Disney works for model training. Disney and Universal have also sued Midjourney over AI-generated character likenesses, and a similar warning was issued to Character.AI in September.

By contrast, Disney’s deal with OpenAI signals that the company is willing to embrace AI — under strict terms. OpenAI has agreed to “robust controls” designed to prevent illegal or harmful content and ensure Disney’s IP is used within licensed boundaries. The partnership does not include actor likenesses or voices.

Sora’s Breakout Year

Sora, launched in September, quickly became one of Apple’s most-downloaded apps, while also triggering controversy over users generating videos with copyrighted characters. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman later promised “more granular control” for IP owners — a commitment now formalized through the Disney partnership.

“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling,” Altman said. “We’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content.”

What Users Will Get

• Create videos with 200+ Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters
• Use the same IP inside ChatGPT Images for image generation
• Access curated Sora video collections directly on Disney+
• No actor likenesses or voices included in the agreement

With streaming competition intensifying and AI reshaping content creation, Disney’s $1 billion bet positions the company at the center of a new era in digital storytelling — one where fans themselves can co-create the magic.