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Disney Faces $10B Lawsuit: Inside the Claims Behind Moana’s Creation

Animator Buck Woodall has launched a massive $10 billion lawsuit against Disney, claiming the entertainment giant stole his original story for their blockbuster franchise Moana. The allegations, if proven true, could be costly.

This is Woodall’s second lawsuit on the subject, with large portions of the first being dismissed as too late (beyond the statute of limitations). Disney denied the allegations in the first lawsuit and we expect will continue to do so here.

The 17-Year Journey That Led to This Moment

For over 17 years, Woodall alleges he poured his heart, $500,000 and soul into developing “Bucky,” an animated project set in an ancient Polynesian village. The story follows a group of teenagers on a quest to protect their homeland – a premise that, according to Woodall, bears striking similarities to Disney’s Moana franchise.

Between 2003 and 2008, Woodall claims he shared extensive materials with Jenny Marchick, then-director of development at Mandeville Films. These materials included everything from the screenplay and character designs to a fully animated concept trailer and storyboards. Marchick later moved to DreamWorks Animation, but Woodall believes his work found its way to Disney’s creative team.

A Detailed Look at the Allegations

We reviewed Woodall’s Complaint filed in Federal Court. It’s important to note, anyone can file a lawsuit with allegations in a Complaint. It does not mean these allegations are true or “facts” at this stage.

Woodall’s lawsuit presents an extensive list of alleged similarities between his “Bucky” project and Disney’s “Moana.” The parallels, according to Woodall’s allegations, are remarkably specific and numerous:

Core Story Elements

  • Both feature a teenage protagonist who defies parents to embark on a dangerous voyage across Polynesian waters to save their endangered island
  • Both stories end with the teenager returning as a hero after saving their island from destruction
  • Both include a journey that begins with a sea turtle encounter
  • Both feature a symbolic necklace as a key plot element
  • Both involve the protagonist surviving a dramatic storm at sea
Screenshots of Woodall's Complaint
Screenshots of Woodall's Complaint

Setting and Cultural Elements

  • Both are set in ancient Polynesian villages with identical background activities (weaving baskets, fishing, pounding taro)
  • Both open with a scene of the protagonist as a baby on a Polynesian beach “facing destiny”
  • Both incorporate traditional navigation by the stars
  • Both explore Polynesian spiritual beliefs, including ancestral spirits appearing as animals
  • Both celebrate the Polynesian people’s connection to the sea as a “native right”

Specific Plot Points and Characters

  • Both feature a giant creature concealed within a mountain that takes the mountain’s shape
  • Both include a demigod character with a giant hook and tattoos, first encountered in a dark cave
  • Both show the demigod transforming into various creatures, including a Polynesian hawk and shark
  • Both involve characters that can shapeshift into bugs
  • Both feature a goddess-like creature emerging from volcanic lava
  • Both include a climactic battle with an army of small-armored warrior characters

Visual Elements

  • Both include a significant whirlpool scene in the ocean
  • Both share striking similarities in their depiction of the creation goddess/lava creature
  • Both feature nearly identical island locations and surroundings
  • Both begin with a flight into an island

The Smoking Gun: The Ocean Portal

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence in Woodall’s lawsuit centers around a specific scene featuring a whirlpool-like oceanic portal. Woodall insists this “dramatic and unique device-imagery” was his original creation, arguing that such a distinctive element “could not possibly have been developed by chance.”

Disney’s Defense and Previous Legal Battle

This isn’t Woodall’s first attempt to seek justice. A previous lawsuit in 2023 was dismissed because he had waited too long to file. However, with Moana 2’s release in 2024 and its staggering success – grossing $964 million globally and becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year – Woodall has renewed his fight with even more determination.

Disney’s response to the previous lawsuit might offer a glimpse into their defense strategy. Moana co-director Ron Clements stated emphatically that the film “was not inspired by or based in any way on [Woodall] or his ‘Bucky’ project,” claiming he only learned about Woodall’s work after the initial lawsuit.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

Woodall’s demand for $10 billion in damages represents 2.5% of Moana’s total gross revenue – a figure that reflects both the franchise’s massive success and the seriousness of his claims. With Moana 2 already generating Oscar buzz and the franchise showing no signs of slowing down, this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for Disney and the animation industry as a whole.

What This Means for the Future of Animation

This case raises crucial questions about intellectual property protection in the digital age and the challenges faced by independent creators. As the animation industry continues to grow and evolve, the outcome of this lawsuit could set important precedents for how studios handle submissions from outside creators and protect original ideas.

The sheer number and specificity of the alleged similarities make this case interesting. From major plot points to minute details, the parallels Woodall cites appear to go far beyond what might be expected from shared cultural elements or common storytelling tropes. If proven, these allegations could fundamentally change how major studios interact with independent creators and handle creative submissions.

Matthew Brandabur
Lawyer, travel agent with The Magic for Less Travel and creator of Adventures of a Disney Dad. I’m the main writer, podcast host and photographer. Disney Authorized Vacation Planner and a graduate of The College of Disney Knowledge, and certified as a Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando Resort Specialist.
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