Disney Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged “Moana” and “Bucky” Similarities

Animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit in California federal court, accusing Disney of stealing elements from his animated screenplay, “Bucky.” Both Bucky and Disney’s 2016 film Moana share similar plots and themes. Both works are set in an ancient Polynesian village, featuring teenage protagonists who embark on perilous journeys to save their homes. Along the way, they encounter spirits that manifest as animals. Woodall argues that Disney copied key aspects of his project, which he has been developing since 2003.

Court Ruling Paves the Way for Legal Action

The lawsuit follows a court ruling from November, which cleared the way for Woodall to pursue legal action after the statute of limitations had previously barred a similar claim against Moana. The ruling acknowledged that a jury could decide whether the works were substantially similar. The court also found that a Disney Animation TV employee may have seen Woodall’s materials before the development of Moana. Woodall had submitted a screenplay and trailer for Bucky to former Mandeville Films director Jenny Marchick, now at DreamWorks Animation. At the time, Mandeville Films had a first-look deal with Disney.

Read more: Celebrities Affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires

$10 Billion Damages

Woodall is demanding damages equivalent to 2.5% of Moana’s gross revenue, which amounts to at least $10 billion. He also seeks a court order to prevent further copyright infringement. The lawsuit highlights several similarities between Moana and Bucky, including the portrayal of spiritual ancestors manifested as animals, a protagonist’s journey starting with a turtle, a symbolic necklace, and an encounter with a demigod with a giant hook and tattoos. Woodall further claims that Moana 2 also shares significant similarities with Bucky.

In defense, Disney has denied the accusations, asserting that Moana was developed independently. Disney also submitted evidence, including story ideas, scripts, and research, to demonstrate that the movie was created without any influence from Woodall’s work. However, the dispute continues to unravel as the legal proceedings advance, with both sides preparing for further legal battles.

Follow Day News on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates