Disney Dismisses Epic Games Buyout Rumors Focuses on Partnership
Disney president and CCO Dana Walden has clarified that there are no current discussions about acquiring Epic Games, despite ongoing speculation. Speaking at Bloomberg's Screentime event, Walden stated, "Those are not the conversations we are having right now." The comments come after Disney's $1.5 billion equity investment in Epic Games in 2024, which sparked rumors of a potential buyout.
Walden emphasized that both companies are focused on leveraging their partnership to create new content and experiences. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney had previously assured that Epic would maintain control of the board following Disney's investment. The collaboration has already led to significant projects, including a "games and entertainment universe" that blends Disney's franchises with Epic's technology.
Recent collaborations have highlighted Disney's popular franchises, such as The Mandalorian and Grogu, through Fortnite events. Players can link their Disney and Fortnite IDs to personalize experiences and earn digital rewards. Walden noted that these initiatives have generated substantial awareness for Disney properties, with plans for more events in the future.
Additional collaborations have featured characters from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Incredibles, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as updates from Star Wars and Marvel. Disney Experiences chairman Josh D'Amaro has described the partnership as a way to bring together Disney's stories and experiences in innovative ways, reaching audiences through Epic's technology and Fortnite's ecosystem.