Animator Files $10 Billion Copyright Lawsuit Against Disney Over Moana and Moana 2

Disney is facing legal action as animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit alleging that the studio copied elements from his screenplay for a project titled Bucky to create Moana and its sequel, Moana 2. The lawsuit, filed last Friday in California federal court, seeks damages equivalent to 2.5% of Moana’s gross revenue—an estimated $10 billion—and aims to stop Disney from further infringing on his copyrights.

Key Allegations

According to the complaint, Woodall alleges that Moana and Moana 2 incorporate numerous elements from Bucky, a story he developed beginning in 2003. Both works are set in ancient Polynesian villages. They follow teenage protagonists who defy their parents by embarking on dangerous voyages to save their homes, encountering spiritual animals and mythical beings along the way.

Woodall claims he shared his screenplay and supporting materials, including character designs and storyboards, with Jenny Marchick, then director of development at Mandeville Films, which had a first-look deal with Disney. The lawsuit alleges that these materials were used without permission in the development of Moana, which premiered in 2016 and grossed over $643 million worldwide.

The complaint also points to thematic and visual similarities between Bucky and the Moana films, including:

• Recurring themes of spiritual ancestors manifested as animals.
• A protagonist whose journey begins with a turtle.
• A demigod adorned with a giant hook and tattoos.
• A giant creature hidden within a mountain.
• Plot elements involving a symbolic necklace.

The complaint cites additional parallels in Moana 2, such as the protagonist’s mission to break a curse, the search for an ancient island, and an oceanic whirlpool-like portal.

Previous Legal Action

This is not Woodall’s first legal challenge against Disney. A prior lawsuit over Moana was dismissed in November 2024 on statute of limitations grounds, but a judge noted that there were genuine issues of fact regarding similarities between the works. The court found that a jury would need to decide whether Disney had access to and copied elements of Woodall’s work and if the claim had been filed in a timely manner.

In the earlier case, U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall stated, “There is a disputed issue of genuine fact regarding substantial similarity and striking similarity between the parties’ works.”

Disney’s Defense

Disney has denied the allegations, asserting that Moana was independently created. Director Ron Clements declared to the court, “Moana was not inspired by or based in any way on [Woodall] or his ‘Bucky’ project, which I learned of for the first time after this lawsuit was filed.”

To support its defense, Disney submitted documentation outlining the origin and development of Moana, including story ideas, pitch materials, research, and travel journals used by the creative team.

About Bucky

Woodall’s screenplay for Bucky was registered with the Writers Guild of America and is protected under U.S. copyright law. He contends that the delivery of his materials to Disney-affiliated individuals was the foundation for the Moana franchise.

Box Office and Academy Awards

Moana 2 debuted to a record-breaking $224.2 million box office opening, smashing multiple records and earning buzz for potential Academy Award nominations. The original Moana earned critical acclaim and two Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.

What’s Next?

The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Disney and the animation industry, particularly regarding intellectual property protections. As of now, Disney has not publicly commented on the latest lawsuit.

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Source: THR