The continuation of the animated hit Moana is steadily making its way through global cinemas, earning impressive amounts and ensuring stable box office results for Disney. However, behind this success lies not only the studio's joy but also a major lawsuit that could lead to significant financial losses for the company.
The claims against Moana 2 are so substantial that they affect not only the sequel but the entire franchise.
American animator and screenwriter Buck Woodall argues that Disney stole ideas from his project Bucky, which he had been developing in the early 2000s. According to him, he pitched the script to major studios and sent materials to Mandeville Films in 2003, a company that was then working with Disney. The project was never produced, but years later, Woodall discovered striking similarities between Moana and his own work.
In 2024, he attempted to sue Disney for plagiarism, but his lawsuit was dismissed due to statute of limitations. However, with the release of Moana 2, a new opportunity for legal action arose, and Woodall is now demanding $10 million from the company, pointing to similar plot elements. Both stories feature teenagers challenging traditions, embarking on dangerous sea journeys, and encountering gods.
Disney rejects the allegations, insisting that Moana was created without any external influence. One of the directors, Ron Clements, testified in court that he only heard about the Bucky project after the lawsuit was filed. It remains unclear how this case will end, but if Disney loses, it could set a precedent that affects the entire industry.
