OpenAI’s Sora v2 video model rumored for imminent release

Recent developments: A leaked video shared on social media suggests OpenAI is preparing to release Sora v2, an upgraded version of its groundbreaking AI video generation model.

• The footage, appearing to be from a Viking-themed scene, was reportedly shown during a C21Media Keynote presentation by OpenAI’s Chad Nelson in London
• The video was allegedly created by using Midjourney-generated images as initial prompts in Sora v2
• LontVideo CEO Ruud van der Linden, who shared the footage, indicates the new version will support one-minute video output with text-to-video, image, and video-to-video capabilities

Competitive landscape: The AI video generation field has become increasingly crowded, with multiple platforms achieving capabilities similar to Sora’s initial release.

• Chinese models Kling and Hailuo MiniMax have reached output quality comparable to Sora’s first version
• Established players like Runway, Luma Labs Dream Machine, and Pika are demonstrating similar capabilities
• Open-source alternatives including Mochi-1 and Tencent’s Hunyuan are approaching Sora’s level of motion and visual realism

Release speculation: The timing and format of Sora v2’s release remain uncertain, though indicators suggest an imminent announcement.

• The platform may be unveiled during OpenAI’s ongoing 12 Days event
• Early versions could be restricted to filmmakers and industry professionals, following the pattern of Sora v1
• The leaked footage exhibits some of the same limitations present in current leading AI video models

Market positioning and pricing: Early analysis suggests a tiered release strategy that could segment access based on subscription levels.

• Initial release might offer shorter videos and lower resolution through the $20 monthly subscription tier
• Full Sora v2 capabilities could be reserved for the premium ChatGPT Pro tier at $200 per month
• This approach would align with OpenAI’s strategy of gradually rolling out advanced features

Looking ahead: While Sora v2 represents a significant advancement in AI video generation, the competitive landscape and technical limitations suggest a measured rollout strategy that balances innovation with market dynamics and practical constraints.