Rumor: Disney Considering Buying Epic Games

Okay, so I’m hearing some crazy rumors that Disney might be looking to buy Epic Games! If that happens, it’s way bigger than just Fortnite changing hands. Epic also makes Unreal Engine, which is this huge graphics tech used in tons of games, but also in TV and movies. Basically, Disney could end up owning a massive piece of how a lot of visual stuff is made, which is wild to think about!

While Epic Games is now famous for Fortnite, the company has been making games since the early 1990s. Before Fortnite became popular in 2017, they had hits like Gears of War, Unreal Tournament, and Infinity Blade. Recently, most of Epic’s work has centered around Fortnite, which has become known for featuring characters and worlds from many different franchises. A lot of these collaborations have included Disney properties, hinting at a close partnership between the two companies.

Disney Executives May Be Interested in Buying Epic Games

According to a tech journalist, Disney is considering buying Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. Alex Heath, formerly of The Verge, reported that while some Disney executives strongly support the acquisition, others have reservations. The frequent collaborations between Fortnite and Disney properties like Star Wars and The Incredibles suggest a willingness to work together, and a full acquisition could lead to even more integrated experiences for players.

If Disney were to acquire Epic Games, the impact would extend far beyond the gaming world, potentially transforming Disney’s film and television production. Disney has already invested heavily in AI video generation with OpenAI’s Sora, a platform set to end services in late 2026. As Heath noted, Epic’s Unreal Engine is already crucial to shows like The Mandalorian and many others. While not a replacement for AI-generated video, Unreal Engine is a powerful and versatile tool with numerous applications in various media formats.

If Disney wants to buy Epic Games, they’ll need to be patient. While Disney invested $1.5 billion in the company earlier in 2025, Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney – who also created Unreal Engine – still controls the majority of the company. Chinese company Tencent owns a significant portion of the remaining shares. Because Sweeney holds so much control, he can make decisions about Epic’s future independently, and he seems committed to its long-term success and has many plans for it. However, if Sweeney ever decides to leave the company, industry analyst Heath believes Disney would be the most logical buyer.

Honestly, the news about Epic Games laying off over 1,000 people was a bit unsettling, especially since it happened on the same day Sora shut down. It definitely made me wonder about the company’s future. But, hearing from insiders, it sounds like they just grew too quickly during the pandemic and are now adjusting. It seems like a lot of companies are doing the same thing now that things are getting back to normal. There was some debate about whether Disney should even consider buying Epic given the layoffs, but it’s interesting that Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, actually mentioned Epic in his recent talk to shareholders, which suggests they’re still very interested.

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2026-03-31 19:49