Animator Buck Woodall has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the studio copied elements of his decades-old screenplay, Bucky, for the Moana franchise. Filed in a California federal court, the suit claims that Disney unlawfully utilized copyrighted materials and ideas he submitted to Mandeville Films' former development director, Jenny Marchick, in 2003. Woodall asserts he provided extensive intellectual property, including character designs, production plans, and storyboards, for his project Bucky the Wave Warrior. The lawsuit points to similarities between Bucky and both Moana films, including Polynesian settings, teenage protagonists undertaking oceanic missions, and specific plot details like animal companions and whirlpool portals.
Woodall’s previous lawsuit against Disney was dismissed in 2023 for being filed too late, but the release of Moana 2 has allowed him to revive his claims. In response to the original lawsuit, Disney maintained that no one involved in Moana’s development had access to Woodall’s materials. Director Ron Clements declared in court filings that Moana was independently developed, and Disney submitted supporting documentation, including early scripts and research. Woodall is seeking damages amounting to 2.5% of Moana's gross revenue and a ban on further copyright infringement.
