Now users of OpenAI's Sora will be able to create short clips of 'Star Wars' characters like Darth Vader. Lucasfilm/Disney+ Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment In what may prove to be a milestone move for major Hollywood studios, Disney has decided to partner with OpenAI and invest $1 billion in the Sam Altman-run artificial intelligence juggernaut as well as ink a licensing deal that would allow users of its AI video creation platform Sora to create clips using iconic characters from Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars franchises. The deal signals that studios may look to embrace, rather than fight, AI startups that already allow users to infringe on their intellectual property. By this thinking, at least Hollywood companies are able to monetize their IP with lucrative licensing deals rather than see their businesses entirely disrupted with nothing to show for it. Whether that ultimately destabilizes the production and content creation side of the entertainment industry may be the big question. Related Stories Business Disney Taps Former Apple COO Jeff Williams to Join Board of Directors TV Disney TV Studios Head Eric Schrier on Fearlessness, Failure and Showing the World "There's Content for Adults on Disney+" For now short-form video creation is the deal of the day and Disney+ will now allow "fan-inspired Sora short form videos" on its platform, a product add that studio chief Bob Iger hinted at on a November 13 earnings call. In examples, Disney included images of a fan with a lightsaber in Star Wars garb, another fan surfing on a big wave with Stitch at the edge of the surfboard and another fan at the starting line of a race next to a Pixar vehicle from Cars. The move immediately may start to legitimize Sora around the industry, given Disney's brand-cautious approach. It's an about-face from the scorn and hostility that Sora faced upon its late October invite-only launch, where Altman's product debuted features - like allowing users to create videos using celebrities likenesses to have them say or do whatever a user liked - before walking back those features after backlash. At the time, all of Hollywood's major talent agencies were particularly vocal about the destructive elements of Sora and WME, CAA and UTA signaled that they stood with their clients against the exploitative product. "Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world," stated Bob Iger in unveiling the deal. "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. Bringing together Disney's iconic stories and characters with OpenAI's groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we've never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love." "Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we're excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content," said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. "This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences." From a dealmaking perspective, the move from Iger reminds of a $1.5 billion equity investment into Epic Games last February to bring Disney characters in to Fortnite in a multiyear effort to court audiences where they're at. At the time Iger described the epic deal as "an important step when you look at the demographic trends and look at where Gen Alpha and Gen Z and even Millennials are spending their time in media." More to come. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Warner Bros. One Fewer Buyer? Warner Bros. Deal Rattles Producers Up North Wicked Frankie Grande Talks Gay Sex, Sister Ariana Grande's Support of His Sobriety on New Podcast From Viral 'Wicked' Journalist Tracy Gilchrist Production Assistants United 'Abbott Elementary' Production Assistants Unanimously Vote to Unionize Warner Bros. Discovery "I Think It's Imperative That CNN Be Sold": Trump Plays Warner Bros. Kingmaker Warner Bros. Discovery David Ellison Pitches WBD Shareholders Directly on Why Paramount Is a Better Buyer Than Netflix Representation Celebrity Photographer Markus Klinko Signs With CAA (Exclusive) Warner Bros. One Fewer Buyer? Warner Bros. Deal Rattles Producers Up North Wicked Frankie Grande Talks