Epic Games Reportedly Delays Marvel and Star Wars Shooter as AI Development Takes Priority

Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite and Unreal Engine, has reportedly postponed an unannounced shooter featuring characters from Marvel and Star Wars. The delay comes as the company makes a major shift toward AI-powered game development, with tools such as Claude reportedly becoming central to its production process.

According to Bloomberg, the mysterious Disney collaboration was initially targeting a March 2027 launch. However, the project has now reportedly been pushed back indefinitely, with no revised release window announced.

Epic Games Is Reportedly Going All-In on AI Development

Bloomberg’s report suggests that Epic Games is introducing an ambitious “AI first” development strategy, fundamentally changing how its teams approach programming and asset creation.

An internal company memo reportedly instructed developers to adopt AI-driven workflows, including the directive: “No more hand-written code,” while also stating that artwork would be “generated with full AI workflows.”

Although Epic Games has not officially confirmed the existence of the rumored Marvel and Star Wars shooter, the company has acknowledged its broader commitment to AI-assisted production.

Epic Games communications director Jake Jones told Bloomberg:

“We’re embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do.”

The statement emphasizes that Epic still intends for human developers to guide the creative process, even as artificial intelligence takes on a larger role in production.

Tim Sweeney Wants Epic Games to Embrace the AI Revolution

Shortly before Bloomberg published its findings, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney discussed the company’s changing development philosophy on social media.

Sweeney described the transition as a “huge pivot” toward “maximum AI acceleration,” suggesting that the initiative could eventually benefit “all teams using Unreal.”

In additional social media posts, Sweeney explained that Epic’s “modest aim” is to “survive the AI revolution, help other developers do the same, and come out on the other end making better code and content faster.”

His comments indicate that Epic views AI not simply as an optional productivity tool, but as an important part of its long-term development strategy.

The company’s increasing reliance on AI could also influence how future Unreal Engine projects are created, potentially affecting developers well beyond Epic’s internal studios.

Disney’s Fortnite Collaboration Could Be a Major Test for AI

The reported Marvel and Star Wars shooter may become one of the most significant examples of Epic’s new development philosophy.

Lachlan Phillips, an AI consultant and self-described “Metaverse artist” who previously directed four Disney experiences within Fortnite, revealed on social media that he had advocated for an “AI-heavy workflow across coding and art.”

His comments suggest that AI-assisted development has already been part of the conversation surrounding Epic and Disney’s expanding partnership.

Disney has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games, demonstrating its commitment to building interactive entertainment experiences through Fortnite and related projects.

The two entertainment giants are currently collaborating on multiple gaming initiatives, although specific details about many of these projects remain limited.

Earlier in 2026, another report suggested that Epic was developing an extraction shooter featuring Disney characters, potentially drawing inspiration from games such as Arc Raiders.

However, it remains uncertain whether that rumored extraction shooter and Bloomberg’s Marvel and Star Wars project are actually the same game.

Gaming Remains a Major Priority for Disney

Despite the reported development setback, Disney appears determined to expand its presence in the gaming industry.

Under CEO Josh D’Amaro, who took over the company’s top leadership position earlier in 2026, interactive entertainment has become an increasingly important part of Disney’s broader strategy.

In May, D’Amaro highlighted the value of reaching younger audiences through gaming platforms, particularly Fortnite.

“Interactive platforms are an increasingly relevant medium for younger audiences to engage with characters and stories, and our collaboration with Epic Games is central to our efforts in this space,” D’Amaro said in May. “Our characters are among the most popular across the Fortnite universe.”

The partnership gives Disney opportunities to bring its massive collection of franchises, including Marvel and Star Wars, into interactive environments where millions of players already spend their time.

Is Disney Planning to Acquire Epic Games?

The close relationship between the two companies has also fueled speculation about a possible Disney acquisition of Epic Games.

However, Disney executive Dana Walden recently addressed those rumors, explaining that an acquisition was “not the conversations we’re having right now.”

Walden instead emphasized that Disney and Epic already have “a great partnership.”

For now, their collaboration appears focused on developing new interactive experiences rather than pursuing a corporate takeover.

What Does This Mean for the Rumored Marvel and Star Wars Shooter?

With no official announcement or confirmed release date, the future of Epic’s rumored Disney-themed shooter remains uncertain.

The reported delay raises questions about how Epic’s transition to AI-first development will affect its upcoming projects, particularly those involving major entertainment franchises.

While AI-assisted production could eventually help studios create games more efficiently, implementing entirely new workflows may also introduce challenges during development.

For Marvel, Star Wars, and Fortnite fans, the biggest question is whether Epic’s ambitious AI strategy will ultimately deliver better gaming experiences or simply extend the wait for its next major Disney collaboration.

Until Epic Games or Disney shares more information, the mysterious shooter remains one of the partnership’s most intriguing unannounced projects.