Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has strongly denied a recent Wall Street Journal report suggesting internal frustrations at Epic over delays in its high-profile collaboration with Disney on a new Fortnite experience.
The report, published on August 4, described concerns within Epic Games over the slow pace of decision-making at Disney. It claimed that the $1.5 billion partnership – announced in February 2024 – was experiencing delays, with the project, codenamed “Bulldog,” now not expected to launch until fall 2026 at the earliest.
According to the WSJ, some Epic executives expressed frustration with the number of internal approvals required from various Disney divisions. The report also suggested growing hesitations within Disney regarding user-generated content and AI moderation, following a controversial incident involving an AI-powered Darth Vader.
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Sweeney Slams Report as “BS”
Shortly after the report was published, Sweeney took to social media to refute its claims.
“The anonymous quote is BS,” Sweeney posted on X. “The speed of Disney and Epic collaborations like Darth Vader has been awesome and is around 10x the ordinary speed of media company dealings in this business. We even provided a statement to the writer of this article saying so, but they chose not to print it.”
Sweeney emphasized that the Fortnite-Disney collaboration is not only moving forward, but doing so at an accelerated pace compared to typical cross-company ventures.
Inside the Disney x Fortnite Universe
Though details remain under wraps, early concept art from the collaboration revealed a Disneyland-style virtual environment built within Fortnite Creative. The persistent universe is expected to feature themed hubs based on Disney’s most iconic brands – including Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and classic Disney animation – all powered by Unreal Engine.
This ambitious vision reflects a broader goal, to give fans the tools to build their own adventures using beloved Disney characters and franchises. However, the scope of user creativity has reportedly raised concerns at Disney, particularly after a May 2025 incident where players manipulated an AI version of Darth Vader into saying inappropriate things. Although Epic quickly addressed the issue, it sparked legal and ethical questions around AI-generated content and voice licensing.
The backlash led to a complaint from SAG-AFTRA, accusing Epic of sidestepping union agreements by using synthetic voice performances. These complications, according to the WSJ, have led Disney to re-evaluate how much freedom it’s willing to grant the Fortnite creator community when it comes to its intellectual property.
Disney Stays Committed Despite Hurdles
Despite these internal challenges, both companies continue to project a united front publicly. Speaking at Unreal Fest 2025, Disney’s head of gaming, Sean Shoptaw, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Fortnite initiative.
“The creator community will play a foundational part in building this project. We want fans to build their own experiences with the characters and stories they love.”
This statement reinforces Disney’s long-term vision for a collaborative, fan-driven experience within Fortnite’s metaverse – even as legal and moderation issues present new challenges.
A Milestone in Gaming and Entertainment Integration
With Fortnite already hosting content from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and more, the upcoming Disney universe aims to be one of the most ambitious licensed digital worlds ever created in a live service game. Over 10 million players interacted with the AI-powered Darth Vader alone, highlighting the immense reach and potential of the project.
As Fortnite enters its next chapter – with mutant bugs invading the battle royale island and Halo characters joining the fight – anticipation for “Bulldog” continues to build. While the official launch remains over a year away, both Epic and Disney appear firmly aligned in shaping a groundbreaking entertainment experience for the metaverse age.
