‘Moana’ Lawsuit Claims Disney Stole the Story From Animated Movie Called ‘Bucky’

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Months after a lawsuit was dismissed due to technicalities, animator Buck Woodall has filed a new lawsuit against Disney, claiming they’ve stolen the concept for their popular movie series. This fresh lawsuit, submitted on January 10th, accuses both the initial 2016 film and its 2024 sequel of being based on a screenplay by Woodall that centered around a Polynesian village, young adults, and spirit animals.

Initially, Woodall launched a legal action regarding the first Moana movie, but in November, the same judge dismissed the case, asserting that it had been brought up too late, over eight years after the film’s initial release. However, the premiere of Moana 2 in cinemas in December provided Woodall with an opportunity to refile his claim, focusing on the sequel this time and referencing the original movie in the filing as well. This fresh lawsuit will now be presented before a jury for consideration, to determine if Disney has any grounds to answer to the allegations. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Judge Consuelo Marshall penned:

There’s debate about whether the things presented by the parties are significantly similar in a way that stands out.

The main point revolves around a film titled “Bucky,” which has been pointed out for its significant resemblance to the popular Disney movie. It’s suggested that a Disney Animation employee may have seen this material, and later used it to kickstart the production of Moana, shortly following its exposure. Woodall initially made these claims back in 2003, stating that he shared the screenplay with Jenny Marchick, who was the head of development at Mandeville Films at the time. Mandeville had a preference deal with Disney, and Woodall was informed that Marchick could get the movie approved due to this agreement.

How ‘Bucky’ and ‘Moana’ Share Striking Similarities.

Despite the deal not being finalized, Woodall has supplied extensive sketches and character profiles to Mandeville Films, serving as crucial evidence against Disney. Not only does this include a Polynesian setting and a strong-willed teen protagonist embarking on a journey, but there are additional details in the submission that suggest clear instances of plagiarism between the two parties.

Woodall’s narrative unfolds the tale of a protagonist embarking on a voyage accompanied by a turtle, emphasizing the significance of a talismanic necklace, a colossal beast dwelling in a mountain range, and a striking meeting with a half-divine entity wielding a massive hook and adorned with tattoos. It’s clear why the case is gaining traction as per the submitted documents.

Moana, a Disney movie, came into being following the submission of nearly all essential components by Woodall for its creation and production. This was after over 17 years of brainstorming and effort put into his animated film concept.

In the legal dispute, Woodall is aiming to secure 2.5% of the total earnings from the Moana franchise, which amounts to $10 billion, along with a prohibition against any future copyright infringements by Disney. Disney has presented evidence to challenge these claims, such as travel logs, pitch notes, and creative concepts. However, Moana director Ron Clements stated in a court declaration that he was unaware of Woodall’s project until the lawsuit was filed. With a live-action adaptation of Moana currently being produced, Disney is eager to settle this case swiftly.

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2025-01-14 16:32