Walt Disney on Thursday announced a three-year partnership with OpenAI, worth $1 billion, granting the startup permission to utilize characters from its lineup through the Sora AI video generator.
The licensing agreement allows Sora and ChatGPT Images to begin producing video content featuring well-known Disney figures such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Mufasa, as well as characters from Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel, beginning early next year. Notably, it specifically excludes the use of any actors’ likenesses or voices.
In a statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger described the collaboration with OpenAI as a thoughtful and responsible way to broaden Disney’s storytelling using generative AI, while maintaining respect and safeguards for creators and their works.
