Epic Games CEO Slams WSJ Report That Blames Disney for Delays on $1.5bn Fortnite Project — Here's the Truth

Tim Sweeney, chief executive of Epic Games, has hit back at claims that the gaming giant is struggling in its highly publicised $1.5 billion (£1.13 billion) partnership with Disney, branding the allegations 'BS' and defending the pace and strength of the companies' collaboration.

Sweeney's strong rebuttal follows a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which suggested that Epic executives had grown frustrated with Disney's slow-moving processes, raising doubts about the future of their shared metaverse venture.

Sweeney Responds to WSJ's 'Anonymous Quote'

Sweeney countered the WSJ's claims, calling the 'anonymous quote BS' about supposed tensions with Disney about the progress of the new Fortnite venture.

He stated that Disney and Epic are working at a pace around '10x' faster than is typical for media company collaborations. Sweeney also noted that he had given a statement to the WSJ about this, but the publication decided not to use it.

Epic Games' collaboration with Disney was announced back in February 2024, but details on the project have been kept mostly secret. Early concept art for the venture depicted a virtual world in the style of Disneyland, featuring distinct areas based on Disney's most prominent franchises. What exactly players will be doing in this new world, though, is still unknown.

A recent report by The Wall Street Journal, however, has now put the collaboration under scrutiny, citing a less-than-ideal working relationship between the two companies.

The WSJ Report's Allegations

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the ambitious Disney Fortnite project is still in development and reportedly targeting a launch in autumn 2026. The same article also alleged that several Epic executives have complained about Disney's slow-moving sign-off and approval processes.

Conversely, the report also claimed that some executives at Disney had expressed their concerns about the project. The publication went on to say that Disney sees gaming as a key revenue driver, which is why it invested a substantial $1.5 billion (£1.13 billion) in Epic to create a Disney world inside Fortnite. The report also revealed that the project is codenamed 'Bulldog.'

What Disney's precise plans are for the project is still a mystery, but as for the alleged frustrations from Epic's camp, the article claimed they stem from Disney needing sign-off from 'so many different divisions.'

A Shared Vision and a Potential Future

Regardless of what the final project looks like, the report claimed that Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Josh D'Amaro is personally leading the effort. The article added that he has spent time with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney near the company's headquarters in North Carolina, and the two have even gone on hikes together.

The publication further noted that 'some Disney executives have raised concerns' about the project, specifically regarding who would own fan creations based on Disney's characters. The article provided an example, suggesting that if a Fortnite player created a mashup dance featuring Darth Vader and Spider-Man, it could lead to legal questions about ownership.

The official description of the collaboration is that Disney and Epic are creating 'a place where you can play games, a place where you can be social, [and] a place where users can generate their content.'

This ambitious goal, D'Amaro explained, is to establish an entire 'universe' where 'all our stories can come to life.'

He went on to note that 'they can come to life in different forms, [like] games. They can come to life in ways that you can just interact with and play with the franchise in a way that's meaningful to you--a place where you can build. And we think that this is going to be a place where all fans can come and interact 365 days a year.'

Unveiling the Disney Universe

Fortnite will feature characters and content from Disney's major brands, such as Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar. Although Disney and Epic have yet to officially unveil any specific projects, many are hoping for a 'virtual Disney World.'

This was fuelled by a Disney Imagineer, who recently teased a theme park integration for park visitors who play the new game. The report also noted that D'Amaro is considered a leading contender to replace CEO Bob Iger, who plans to retire in 2026.

Fact or Friction?

Although the Wall Street Journal report has raised eyebrows, Sweeney's firm denial suggests the partnership remains on track.

With a multibillion-dollar investment at stake and a potential digital universe unlike any before, both companies appear committed to a shared vision — even if the road ahead involves navigating the complex terrain of intellectual property, technology, and corporate culture.