Disney has confirmed it is not currently talking about buying Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite. The news comes after months of speculation that Disney might push past its existing stake in Epic and acquire the company outright.
Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden addressed the rumor during an interview with Bloomberg Live. When asked about the possibility of expanding the companies’ relationship through a full acquisition, Walden made her position clear.
“Well, I think that it was pretty obvious that we had very serious conversations about an investment and an equity stake,” Walden said. “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 Stake That Changed Everything
The current arrangement dates back to early 2024, when Disney announced it had acquired a $1.5 billion stake in Epic. At the time, then-CEO Bob Iger described the move as a transformational new games and entertainment universe.
“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,” 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.”
The deal was a major statement from Disney. The company was entering the gaming industry in a big way, and Epic’s Fortnite was the vehicle. Iger’s framing made clear the scale of the commitment, calling it “Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games.”
Why Acquisition Rumors Made Sense
The speculation about an acquisition was not idle chatter. Several signals pointed in that direction.
In March 2026, tech reporter Alex Heath said some Disney executives were “waiting for that moment” to go all in on an acquisition. That report put the idea on the table publicly.
Then, in April, Bloomberg reported that Epic was working on an extraction shooter featuring Disney characters, with plans to launch in November 2026. The game would pair Epic’s shooter expertise with Disney’s IP.
Taken together, the reports raised a question: was Disney’s stake the beginning of a longer play, or the end of it? The answer, according to Walden, is that the stake was the end of the road — at least for now.
What Walden Actually Said
Walden’s Bloomberg interview answered that question directly. She confirmed that Disney had indeed had serious conversations about an investment and an equity stake — those conversations were real.
But the current talks are different. Walden said the acquisition conversations are not happening right now. Instead, the focus is on the partnership itself and the projects that will follow.
“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,” she said.
The key phrase is “right now.” Walden did not rule out acquisition entirely. She said the current conversations are not about that. She also did not say the door is closed forever. Her comments left room for the relationship to evolve in the future, while making clear that the current state of affairs is not one of active pursuit of a full buyout.
What the Partnership Has Already Delivered
Since the stake was announced, Disney and Epic have built a portfolio of collaborations. The relationship is not abstract. It has produced real products.
One example is a Disneyland-exclusive Fortnite skin. Another is officially licensed Star Wars minigames. These projects show the partnership in action.
The upcoming extraction shooter fits this pattern. It pairs Epic’s shooter expertise with Disney’s IP. Like the other collaborations, it represents a tangible product born from the partnership between the two companies.
The Pipeline of Launches
Walden’s promise of “a number of launches” over the next two years is the clearest signal about the future. The partnership is alive, and it has a pipeline of products.
The extraction shooter is the headline act. Its November 2026 launch date is still on the books.
Beyond that, the “number of launches” language suggests more is coming. Walden did not specify what those launches are. She did not say whether they include games, movies, or other media. She simply said the partnership will continue to deliver value.
Here is what the partnership has already produced:
- A Disneyland-exclusive Fortnite skin
- Officially licensed Star Wars minigames
- The extraction shooter, scheduled for November 2026
The Bottom Line
Disney is not buying Epic right now. That is the official position, and it comes from the highest levels of the company.
The partnership remains intact. The stakes remain high. And the pipeline of projects continues to fill out.
The extraction shooter is the immediate test case. Its November 2026 launch will show whether the partnership can deliver on its promises.
For now, the relationship is stable. The companies are working together on real projects. The acquisition question has been answered for now, but the story is not finished.
Disney and Epic have a working relationship that produces real results. The Disneyland skin, the Star Wars minigames, and the upcoming extraction shooter all show what that partnership looks like in practice.
The next two years will tell us more.
Source material: “Disney Says Conversations About Buying Epic Games Are Not Happening 'Right Now',” IGN.
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