OpenAI may hand its shut-down Sora to a film startup for pro filmmaking

According to The Information, OpenAI is in talks with a stealth startup focused on AI video for filmmaking. The plan is to hand over Sora, the video model OpenAI has already shut down, so it can return as a professional film tool.

The startup was founded a few months ago by Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, former Sora research lead Bill Peebles, and former Dropbox CFO Sujay Jaswa. Its name is not public yet. The startup wants to take over and rebuild the Sora platform, then sell software or services for film studios. Deal terms are not settled, and it's unclear if it will get the model weights.

Earlier this year, OpenAI stopped the Sora model and its TikTok-like video app to cut back on costly non-core projects, moving resources to business AI and coding tools. Sora's consumer app and website are closed, and OpenAI also ended a roughly $1 billion deal with Disney.