Disney has responded after rumors suggested it was interested in buying Fortnite developer Epic Games.
Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden touched on the company’s relationship with Epic during an interview with Bloomberg Live. When asked if there have been talks about expanding their previously established relationship with a full-on acquisition, she said that strategy isn’t something Disney is entertaining, at least right now.
“Well, I think that it was pretty obvious that we had very serious conversations about an investment and an equity stake,” Walden responded. “Those are not the conversations we’re having right now, 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.”
The relationship referenced here was solidified when Disney announced it acquired a $1.5 billion stake in Epic back in early 2024. It was a massive play that it promised would result in collaborations across Fortnite and more in the future.
“Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe,” then-CEO Bob Iger said. “This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion. We can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”
We’re still feeling the shockwaves of that deal, but some suspected it could evolve into more than a simple partnership. Tech reporter Alex Heath said in March 2026 that some Disney executives were “waiting for that moment” to go all in on an acquisition. Then, in April, Bloomberg reported that Epic was working on an extraction shooter featuring Disney characters with plans to launch in November 2026.
We’re now kicking off October with no official mention of that unannounced project, but that doesn’t mean Disney x Epic is going anywhere any time soon. While an acquisition isn’t in the cards, Walden’s promise regarding “a number of launches” set to arrive in the next few years suggests there is plenty more to talk about.
We’ll have to wait and see how the two entertainment giants work together moving forward. In the meantime, you can read some of the other ways Disney and Epic have bolstered their relationship, including a Disneyland-exclusive Fortnite skin and officially licensed Star Wars minigames.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
