Disney has officially addressed rumors regarding a potential acquisition of Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite. Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden stated in an interview with Bloomberg Live that while significant conversations about an investment and equity stake previously occurred, acquisition talks are not currently underway.
"Those are not the conversations we're having right now," Walden said, "but we have a great partnership and a number of launches coming up over the next two years that are going to demonstrate the value of this partnership."
Disney and Epic Games solidified their relationship in early 2024 with a $1.5 billion investment by Disney into Epic. At the time, then-CEO Bob Iger described the partnership as a "transformational new games and entertainment universe" that would bring together Disney's brands with Fortnite. This collaboration was positioned as Disney's largest entry into the gaming world, promising novel experiences for fans.
Speculation about a potential full acquisition gained traction earlier this year. Tech reporter Alex Heath noted in March that some Disney executives were reportedly considering a complete takeover, and a subsequent Bloomberg report in April indicated Epic was working on a Disney-themed extraction shooter for a potential late 2026 launch. However, Walden's recent comments seem to pour cold water on immediate acquisition plans.
Despite the absence of acquisition talks, Disney's commitment to its partnership with Epic remains evident. Walden's outlook suggests continued collaboration, with "a number of launches" anticipated in the coming years. Previous examples of their joint efforts include a Disneyland-exclusive Fortnite skin and officially licensed Star Wars minigames within Fortnite, hinting at the types of content fans can expect from their ongoing alliance.