Disney is facing a new legal challenge involving its blockbuster animated films Moana and Moana 2, as animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit alleging that both films copied plot elements from his earlier screenplay.
The suit, filed in a California federal court, claims that Disney drew heavily from Woodall’s project titled Bucky, which he began developing in the early 2000s. Woodall is seeking at least $10 billion in damages, arguing that the alleged similarities between his work and the Moana films could not be coincidental.
According to the lawsuit, Woodall developed a screenplay and a trailer for Bucky and began sharing details of the project in 2003 with Jenny Marchick, who was then the director of development at Mandeville Films.
The lawsuit claims that Marchick, now the head of development for features at DreamWorks Animation, requested materials such as production plans, character designs, and storyboards. She reportedly assured Woodall that she could help secure Disney’s backing, as Mandeville had a first-look deal with the entertainment giant at the time.
The lawsuit highlights key plot similarities between Moana, released in 2016, and Bucky, arguing that the parallels are too specific to be coincidental. Both stories center on a teenager who defies her parents’ warnings and sets out on a perilous journey across Polynesian waters to save a threatened island.
Additionally, both films feature a recurring theme of Polynesian spiritual ancestors manifested as animals, with the protagonist’s journey beginning with a turtle. The complaint further notes similarities in a symbolic necklace, a demigod adorned with a hook and tattoos, and a colossal creature hidden within a mountain.
Woodall also alleges that Moana 2, released in November last year, contains elements from his original Bucky project. One cited example is a sequence in which Moana and her crew are drawn into a dangerous whirlpool-like oceanic portal.
According to the lawsuit, this dramatic plot device closely resembles imagery from Woodall’s original materials and could not have been independently conceived. Woodall argues that Disney’s use of these elements reflects intentional misappropriation of his creative work.
The lawsuit states that Moana was created “in the wake of Woodall’s delivery to the Defendants of virtually all constituent parts necessary for its development and production.” Woodall claims he spent over 17 years developing his animated film project and that Disney’s actions represent a violation of his intellectual property rights.
This is not the first time Woodall has taken legal action against Disney; he previously filed a lawsuit over Moana, but a U.S. District Court judge dismissed the case last year, ruling that the statute of limitations had expired.
The release of Moana 2, which earned $224.2 million at the box office, provided Woodall with a new opportunity to pursue legal action. He argues that the sequel’s plot elements further demonstrate Disney’s alleged misuse of his original work. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) notes that the sequel’s success has reignited Woodall’s claims, leading to the current lawsuit.
In response to the earlier lawsuit, Moana director Ron Clements submitted a declaration to the court, stating that Moana was in no way inspired by or based on Woodall’s Bucky project. Clements claimed he only became aware of Bucky after the initial lawsuit was filed.
Disney also provided documentation to the court detailing the origin and development of Moana, including story pitches and other creative materials, which the company asserts demonstrate the independent development of the film.
Woodall’s latest legal challenge raises questions about the boundaries of intellectual property and the protection of creative works in Hollywood. While Disney has denied any connection between Moana and Bucky, the case underscores the challenges faced by independent creators in protecting their ideas when dealing with major studios.
The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the animation industry and the way intellectual property disputes are handled.
Disney, one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies, has been involved in similar legal battles in the past. Allegations of idea theft and intellectual property infringement are not uncommon in the industry, but few cases have sought damages as substantial as Woodall’s $10 billion claim.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case will likely draw significant attention from industry professionals and the public alike.
The Moana franchise has been a critical and commercial success, with the original film earning over $600 million globally and receiving multiple award nominations. Its cultural impact has also been profound, showcasing Polynesian heritage and mythology to a global audience.
However, Woodall’s claims cast a shadow over the franchise’s success, raising questions about the creative origins of these beloved films.
