Epic Games is digging deep into the Disney vault, and the bad guys are officially taking over the island.
According to a series of highly credible leaks circulating within the Fortnite community, two of Disney’s most legendary animated antagonists are heading to the battle royale. Maleficent and Cruella de Vil are reportedly locked in as the headline skins for the game’s annual Halloween celebration, Fortnitemares, in 2026.
The news comes from prominent dataminers who have spent months parsing through Epic’s long-term development files. These are not just vague concepts. The leaks point to fully realized character models and thematic cosmetic sets currently in active development. It seems Epic is planning its holiday content years in advance, ensuring that the spooky season remains the absolute peak of the Fortnite calendar.
The Fruits of a Massive Partnership
For many players, this is the most exciting development since Disney announced its staggering $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games. Up to this point, Fortnite’s Disney collaborations have leaned heavily on modern blockbusters, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. We have seen plenty of galactic conquerors and superheroes. But we have not yet seen the classic, hand-drawn evil that defined generations of childhood nightmares. That is about to change.
Mistress of Evil Meets the Battle Bus
Maleficent is the obvious heavy hitter here. The self-proclaimed Mistress of All Evil from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty is a perfect match for the Fortnitemares aesthetic. Her towering horns, flowing black robes, and glowing green magic are tailormade for Epic’s stylized art direction.
Leakers suggest her bundle will include plenty of references to her classic film. Players can expect a harvesting tool based on her iconic spinning wheel or her golden staff. There is also chatter among insiders about a glider designed after her terrifying dragon transformation. Flying over the battle royale map as a massive purple-and-black dragon would easily be one of the most visually impressive sights in the game.
High Fashion and Menace
Cruella de Vil brings a completely different energy to the island. She does not have dark magic, but she has unmatched style. Cruella’s look is all about high-fashion menace.
Expect her skin to feature her signature split black-and-white hair, an oversized fur coat, and perhaps a traversal emote that captures her erratic, frantic walk. Some dataminers have even teased the inclusion of her roaring, classic red coupe as a customizable vehicle skin. It would be a massive hit for players who love driving across the Fortnite map in style while hunting down opponents.
Why the Long Wait?
Some fans might wonder why we are hearing about 2026 content so early. Designing, testing, and licensing these iconic characters is an incredibly lengthy process. Epic Games operates on a massive production schedule, often working on seasons and storyline arcs years before they ever hit live servers.
By locking down these high-profile Disney villains now, Epic ensures they have a blockbuster lineup ready to roll out when the time is right. It also allows them to coordinate with Disney’s own promotional calendars and theatrical releases.
The community reaction has already been overwhelmingly positive. Fortnitemares has always been a fan-favorite event, usually featuring mature horror icons like Michael Myers, Ash Williams, or characters from Resident Evil. Transitioning to classic Disney villains might feel like a shift toward more family-friendly content, but these characters hold a special, nostalgic place in the hearts of older gamers too. They are genuinely creepy, and they fit the spooky vibe perfectly.
There are also rumors that Captain Hook from Peter Pan might join the roster around the same time. Having a pirate-themed villain alongside a fairy-tale witch and a fashion-obsessed heiress would make Fortnitemares 2026 one of the most diverse crossovers in gaming history.
As with all leaks, plans can change. Epic Games has a history of shuffling its release dates or reworking concepts behind closed doors. But given the scale of the Disney partnership, these villains are almost certainly on their way. Players just need to have a little patience. For now, the island remains safe from Disney’s worst. But the shadow of the dragon is definitely looming in the distance.
