Disney sued for allegedly copying the idea for Moana and its sequel
LOS ANGELES - Animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit against Disney, accusing the entertainment giant of copying his screenplay, "Bucky," for the creation of "Moana" and its sequel.
The Hollywood Reporter, which obtained the lawsuit, reports that Woodall claims Disney used plot elements, themes, and designs from his work.
This is not the first time Woodall has taken legal action against Disney. A similar case was dismissed in November due to the statute of limitations.
The release of "Moana 2" has now allowed him to renew his allegations, citing new grounds for infringement.
Allegations of copying in "Moana" and its sequel
What we know:
In a lawsuit filed in California federal court on Friday, Woodall alleges that Disney used materials he shared in 2003 with Mandeville Films, which had a first-look deal with Disney at the time.
He claims to have provided Mandeville with a screenplay, storyboards, and character designs for "Bucky," a story set in an ancient Polynesian village.
Woodall says the films share key elements, including themes of Polynesian spirituality, a protagonist embarking on a dangerous journey, and encounters with demigods adorned with hooks and tattoos.
He also points to similarities in "Moana 2," such as the protagonist searching for an ancient island and undertaking a mission to break a curse.
What we don't know:
Disney has not commented on the lawsuit, and it remains unclear whether anyone at Disney directly reviewed Woodall’s materials before developing "Moana."
FILE - Actor Dwayne Johnson of MOANA took part today in "Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films" presentation at Disney's D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
While Woodall claims the similarities are too specific to be coincidental, Disney has previously argued that "Moana" was independently developed.
Why you should care:
The lawsuit highlights ongoing debates in Hollywood over intellectual property and creative rights.
As Disney faces renewed scrutiny, the case could have significant implications for how studios handle submissions and develop culturally inspired films.
Is this lawsuit new?
The backstory:
This isn’t the first legal challenge Woodall has brought against Disney. In November, a court ruled that while a jury might find the works similar, his original lawsuit was filed too late.
The release of "Moana 2" gave Woodall a new opportunity to pursue claims, citing further copyright infringement.
The Source
This story is based on reporting from The Hollywood Reporter, which obtained and reviewed the lawsuit, as well as court documents detailing previous legal proceedings.