Disney Fortnite deal explained: What does this Epic team-up mean?

We'll also be taking a look at recent statements made by Mickey Mouse's boss, Bob Iger, which shed light on the motivations for the deal and when we can expect to see it released.

If you have no idea what we're discussing, Disney announced the collaboration – and a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic – with Fortnite that is set to persist for years in the hopes of creating "all-new games and entertainment universe".

Quite the undertaking, then, and there's certainly a lot to pick over - so read on to keep abreast with all the knowledge!

What has Disney’s Bob Iger said about Fortnite deal?

As reported by The Wrap, Bob Iger recently spoke at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom conference, where he told viewers that he and the team at Disney "were really impressed with what Epic had been able to accomplish with Fortnite", as they sought new ways to tap into gaming - which constitutes 30 per cent of Gen Z and Gen Alpha's screen time.

Fortnite regularly features brand collaborations, with Disney being no stranger to them, but the deal means they can catch some of the hype that surrounds things like LEGO Fortnite and the live events that often feature real singers.

Iger went on to lay out his vision: "We’re calling this a universe, just so that we don’t use the word metaverse, but this will be a deep, rich, fully immersive, engaging experience for consumers."

What this ends up looking like is anybody's guess, but the teaser trailer featured further down lends us a few clues.

When will the Disney Fortnite release date be?

Bog Iger said the Disney Fortnite collab will arrive "in a few years".

If we take LEGO Fortnite into consideration, Epic first announced their partnership with The Lego Group on 7th April 2022, with LEGO Fortnite arriving 20 months later to the day - on 7th December 2023.

While LEGO Fortnite is a considerably large project in itself, it will likely pale in comparison to whatever Disney Fortnite ends up being.

Thus, "a few years" could easily translate to a 2027 release date, but hopefully Disney fans can get their goofy mitts on it sooner.

When an official announcement is made, we will update you as soon as possible.

What exactly has happened between Disney, Epic Games and Fortnite?

Disney has revealed that it is collaborating with Epic Games on an all-new games and entertainment universe.

The Walt Disney Company "will also invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games alongside the multi-year project".

This was all revealed in a press release on the official Disney website.

Robert Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, explains the collaboration: "Our exciting new relationship with Epic Games will bring together Disney’s beloved brands and franchises with the hugely popular Fortnite in a transformational new games and entertainment universe."

Iger adds that Disney "can’t wait for fans to experience the Disney stories and worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways".

Tim Sweeney, CEO and founder of Epic Games, reveals that the two companies are "collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities".

Whatever the new games and entertainment universe shapes up to be, expect to see more Fortnite crossovers with Disney-owned IP (Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, Avatar etc) for the next few years, at least.

What are Disney and Epic Games working on? Fortnite and more

Disney and Epic Games are working together to create a "new persistent universe" where players will be able "to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more".

Stopping short of revealing precisely what it is Disney and Epic Games is working on – we’ll have to wait another day for that – we do know that the whole thing has something to do with Fortnite.

Epic Games has released a teaser trailer offering glimpses of what’s to come. Check it out:

The new persistent Disney universe will "in addition to being a world-class games experience" be "interoperating with Fortnite".

This might well mean that whatever it is Disney is working on with Epic Games will be part of the Fortnite umbrella – which already contains Fortnite Battle Royale, Save the World, LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival.

Whatever shape the new Disney universe somehow set within Fortnite takes, Disney also revealed that: "Players, gamers and fans will be able to create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love."

It’s all being developed using the Unreal Engine, of course. Time will tell what it is exactly that Disney and Epic Games have up their sleeves.

Keep with us here on RadioTimes.com for future details and developments.

Discover more with Fortnite creative map codes: Fortnite horror maps | Fortnite action-adventure maps | Fortnite hide and seek maps | Fortnite Zone Wars maps | Fortnite fighting maps | Fortnite parkour maps | best Fortnite creative maps | Fortnite Squid Game map codes | Fortnite Monopoly code | Fortnite I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here code | Fortnite Doctor Who map code

Listen to our One More Life podcast and subscribe to our gaming newsletter for all the latest intel.

Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.