The Walt Disney Company has taken a major leap into the future of entertainment by announcing a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. As part of this landmark deal, fans will soon be able to create short, AI-generated videos starring iconic Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters using OpenAI’s advanced video model, Sora.
Starting in early 2026, Disney enthusiasts will gain access to a groundbreaking tool that lets them design their own short-form content featuring beloved characters—something never officially offered before.
Disney Characters in Your AI Videos: What’s Coming in 2026
Under this multi-year partnership, fans will be allowed to create up to 30-second custom videos using the names and likenesses (but not the voices) of approximately 200 popular characters, including:
- Mickey Mouse & classic Disney icons
- Cinderella, Elsa and other Disney princesses
- Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Sulley & more from Pixar
- Marvel superheroes like Black Panther
- Star Wars legends like Yoda, R2-D2 & iconic Jedi
Imagine placing yourself inside a Star Wars lightsaber duel, or creating a Buzz Lightyear birthday video for your child — all possible thanks to Sora’s advanced video-generation capabilities.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the move reflects the dramatic rise of short-form video content, providing fans new ways to connect with Disney characters.
What is Sora and How Will It Work With Disney Characters?
Sora is OpenAI’s powerful AI-driven video generator capable of producing realistic videos from simple text prompts. Users can type a description, upload images, or set a scene — and Sora will create a high-quality 10–30 second video with synchronized audio.
Currently, you can cast yourself or approved friends into videos, but starting in 2026, Disney-character integration will roll out through:
- Disney+ curated Sora-generated video collections
- User-created fan videos featuring authorized characters
- Interactive, character-based AI storytelling experiences
This makes Disney the first major entertainment company to officially license its characters for large-scale AI video creation.
Why Disney Partnered With OpenAI
The three-year partnership aims to:
- Develop new AI-centric products and tools for Disney’s ecosystem
- Enhance Disney+ with interactive, personalized video content
- Provide Disney employees access to ChatGPT for workflow improvements
- Explore new creative possibilities while protecting intellectual property
Iger emphasized that Disney will expand storytelling through AI while safeguarding creators and copyrighted works.
A Strategic Move Amid AI Copyright Concerns
The announcement came at a time when Disney also issued a cease-and-desist letter to Google, accusing Google’s AI tools of using Disney-owned characters without proper authorization.
By partnering with OpenAI, Disney aims to embrace innovation on its own terms, ensuring fan creativity is allowed—but within copyright-controlled boundaries.
How to Access Sora: Availability & Pricing
You can access Sora through:
- Sora app on the Apple App Store
- Google Play Store
- Sora.com
- ChatGPT subscriptions
Pricing tiers:
ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)
✔️ Limited access to Sora
✔️ Can generate short videos
ChatGPT Pro ($200/month)
✔️ Full access to Sora
✔️ Longer, high-resolution video generation
✔️ Advanced creative tools
OpenAI also announced GPT-5.2, enhancing ChatGPT’s reasoning and creativity — now used by over 800 million people weekly.
What This Means for Fans and the Future of Entertainment
This partnership gives fans unprecedented creative power. For the first time ever, regular users will be able to produce:
- Personalized Disney video greetings
- Star Wars-themed action shorts
- Marvel-style hero scenes
- AI-generated stories featuring nostalgic characters
Analysts say it’s a smart and strategic move for both companies, blending Disney’s massive storytelling library with OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI technology.