Epic CEO Tim Sweeney Refutes Report on Slow Progress in Disney x Fortnite Universe Project
In February 2024, Disney officially announced a $1.5 billion investment into Epic Games to build a persistent virtual universe within Fortnite, integrating its most iconic franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Avatar, and classic Disney IP into one interconnected experience.
The ambitious collaboration aimed to establish a seamless and immersive digital platform where players could transition effortlessly between distinct entertainment experiences across both the Fortnite and Disney ecosystems. Saxs Persson, Executive Vice President at Epic Games, had previously commented on the vision:
“Disney wants a persistent place where all things Disney can be there, but they want to be part of an ecosystem we’ve built. We see the power of ecosystems interoperating as being really the magic here.”
However, that vision has recently come under scrutiny. A report published by The Wall Street Journal, also featured by ToVima, cited anonymous sources at Epic Games who claimed frustration with the slow pace of development, citing that Disney's internal approval process across multiple divisions was significantly hampering progress. The report refers to the collaboration as Project "Bulldog" and suggests a potential launch date no earlier than Fall 2026.
In response, Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney took to X to deliver a firm rebuttal:
“The anonymous quote is BS. 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’s response emphasized that past collaborations—such as Darth Vader's Fortnite appearance—have moved at an unusually fast pace compared to standard industry timelines. However, it is worth noting that Sweeney did not refute the 2026 launch window mentioned in the original report, which still leaves questions about when exactly players will get to experience the Disney-themed Fortnite universe.
Despite the dispute over development speed, the strategic partnership between Epic and Disney marks a bold new frontier in entertainment convergence, potentially redefining interactive storytelling and franchise synergy in the gaming space. The final product, when released, could significantly expand the concept of the metaverse into a more structured and franchise-rich environment.
What do you think about the Disney x Fortnite universe? Do you believe it will live up to the hype or get stuck in development limbo? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
