Disney Faces Copyright Lawsuit by Filmmaker Due to Similarities in 'Moana' Franchise
In a shocking turn of events, filmmaker Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging copyright law violation in the creation of the "Moana" franchise. The lawsuit, filed by USA Today, claims that Disney infringed on Woodall's copyrighted work in the development of the beloved animated film.
According to the lawsuit, Woodall began sharing ideas for his animated film, "Bucky the Wave Warrior," with Jenny Marchick, who was the director of development at Mandeville Films, as early as 2003. He submitted a final script for "Bucky" in 2011, which the lawsuit alleges was received by Disney before they began production on "Moana."
The lawsuit alleges that Woodall was prodded for more content over several years by Marchick, with him sharing an animated trailer, storyboards, and a draft script. However, Disney has contested the allegations, claiming that nobody involved in the production of "Moana" had any prior exposure to Woodall's "Bucky" content.
"Bucky the Wave Warrior" shares plot similarities with "Moana," including a story about a teenage character saving a Polynesian island. Both films also feature depictions of Polynesian ancestors in the form of spirit animals and a significant symbolic necklace in the story.
The original "Moana" is set in ancient Polynesia and tells the story of a teenage girl trying to save her people. "Moana" director Ron Clements has stated that "Moana" was not inspired by or based in any way on Woodall's "Bucky" project.
Woodall is demanding at least $10 billion in damages and 2.5% of all revenue from "Moana 2" ticket sales. The lawsuit cites "breathtaking" similarities between Woodall's script and the "Moana" movies. As of the latest available information, Woodall's copyright infringement lawsuit against Disney has not been resolved. The lawsuit was reported in early July 2025, and it is ongoing without any publicly announced resolution.
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The lawsuit filed by USA Today alleges that Woodall's animated film, "Bucky the Wave Warrior," shares stunning similarities with Disney's "Moana," both falling under the realm of movies-and-tv entertainment. The lawsuit claims that Disney infringed on Woodall's copyrighted work in the development of the beloved animated film, "Moana."
