A new rumor suggests Disney is looking to purchase Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite and the Unreal Engine technology.
The information comes from tech journalist Alex Heath, who said during a recent podcast appearance that several top executives at Disney are pushing for the deal. He noted that opinions inside the company are mixed, so no final decision has been made.
Disney and Epic already know each other well. Fortnite has hosted multiple events featuring Disney characters and stories over the years, including Star Wars and Marvel themes. The two companies also have a financial connection. In early 2025, Disney invested $1.5 billion in Epic, giving it a significant ownership stake.
A full buyout would mean much more than just owning Fortnite. Epic’s Unreal Engine is used widely across Hollywood. Disney already relies on it for shows like The Mandalorian. That technology could become even more important to Disney following the recent shutdown of OpenAI’s Sora video service, a project Disney had backed.
Any deal would not be simple. Epic founder Tim Sweeney controls the majority of the company and has always valued its independence. The Chinese company Tencent also holds a large share that would need to be addressed.
The rumor comes after Epic let go of more than 1,000 workers recently. Heath described those cuts as part of a broader adjustment in the tech industry following a period of rapid hiring during the pandemic.
Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, recently brought up Epic in a talk with shareholders, which has only added to the speculation. If the purchase happens, it would give Disney control over a massive online game, powerful filmmaking tools, and new ways to bring its characters to audiences. For Epic, joining Disney would bring financial stability but could also raise questions about how much freedom it would have going forward.
For now, neither company has confirmed any official talks. The story remains a rumor, but it has already sparked plenty of discussion across the gaming and entertainment industries.