March 30, 2026, 3:34 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
OpenAI has unexpectedly discontinued the AI project Sora and ended its collaboration with the Disney corporation. Sora was considered one of the most impressive video generators from the ChatGPT developer. The tool allowed for the creation of photorealistic videos solely through text input. The technology was impressive but also posed significant risks for misuse.
Originally, OpenAI had secured a billion-dollar deal with Disney in 2025. The corporation planned to invest around one billion U.S. dollars and allow its well-known brands, such as Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, to be used for video production via Sora. The goal was for users to generate their own clips from these universes. This plan is now obsolete.
Shift in Focus and Resource Issues
OpenAI announced that Sora will not only be removed from the official app but will also no longer be available through interfaces. A specific reason for the project’s end was not given. The company merely stated that it wants to realign due to the increasing demand for computing power. The research team that previously worked on Sora will now focus on simulating real environments and especially on robotics projects, as reported by “The Wall Street Journal.”
According to anonymous sources from “Reuters,” Sora consumed too many resources, which were needed elsewhere. Project leader William Peebles had already hinted in 2025 that demand exceeded capacity and that the free usage quotas were not sustainable. OpenAI therefore decided against a paid usage model and opted for the complete discontinuation of the project.
Sora 2 Came Too Late
The current version, Sora 2, was only released in September 2025 and was supposed to be integrated into ChatGPT. However, it appears that OpenAI had already been working on a Sora project with Disney as of March 23, 2026, and shortly thereafter announced its end. A Disney spokesperson expressed understanding for the decision to withdraw from this early phase of AI video technology and focus on other areas. Insiders report that the promised investment from Disney has not yet been made and is now unlikely to occur.