OpenAI to Shut Down Sora Video; Disney Cancels $1 Billion Investment
OpenAI announced it will discontinue Sora, its generative-AI video tool. The company offered no detailed explanation for the decision.
OpenAI to Shut Down Sora Video was how some reports framed the move. The Sora team thanked creators and promised further information.
Timeline and product history
OpenAI first previewed Sora in February 2024. The platform’s first public release arrived in December 2024.
A second edition, Sora 2, launched in late September 2025. That version produced highly realistic video previews and drew significant attention.
What OpenAI told users
The Sora team said it would share timelines and API details soon. They also pledged guidance on preserving user projects.
OpenAI did not respond to follow-up information requests. The company has offered no public reason for ending the product.
Disney partnership and withdrawal
The shutdown came about three months after Disney signed a deal with OpenAI. The agreement would have run for three years.
Sora had been slated to generate user-prompted videos from over 200 masked, animated, and creature characters. Those characters came from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars.
Plans called for fan-inspired videos in early 2026, with Disney+ curating selections. The partnership also included a proposed financial stake by Disney.
Disney Cancels $1 Billion Investment into the announced partnership, according to subsequent statements. The media company also ended its collaboration with OpenAI.
A Disney representative told Filmogaz.com they respect OpenAI’s decision to exit video generation. They said the companies learned from the work together.
Industry concerns and legal pressure
Sora 2 used an opt-out model that required rights holders to request exclusion. That approach alarmed creators and studios.
In November, CODA sent a letter asking OpenAI to stop using its members’ works to train Sora 2. CODA represents groups including Studio Ghibli.
Other generative-video services remain active. Several studios have accused some platforms of copyright infringement.
- Disney sent a cease-and-desist to Google, alleging large-scale infringement.
- Google removed identified AI-generated videos after that demand.
- Disney also targeted Meta and Character.AI with cease-and-desist letters in early 2025.
- Lawsuits were filed with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery against Midjourney and Minimax.
- Studios pressed legal threats against ByteDance over Seedance 2.0, prompting promised safeguards.
What creators should expect next
OpenAI said it will provide details on app and API timelines. The company will explain how creators can preserve their Sora projects.
Industry tensions over intellectual property will likely shape future tools. Studios and platforms are set to continue negotiations and legal actions.
