Disney Faces $10 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged 'Moana' Copyright Infringement

Animator Buck Woodall claims Disney's 'Moana' films plagiarized his Polynesian-inspired screenplay, 'Bucky the Wave Warrior.'

Animator Buck Woodall has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Disney, alleging that the 'Moana' films copied key elements from his screenplay 'Bucky the Wave Warrior.'
The lawsuit points to similarities in plot, characters, and themes, including a teenager's voyage to save a Polynesian island, spiritual animal guides, and a demigod with tattoos and a hook.
Woodall claims he shared copyrighted materials with Jenny Marchick, then at Mandeville Films, starting in 2003, and alleges these were passed to Disney without his consent.
A previous lawsuit regarding the original 'Moana' was dismissed in 2024 due to timing, but the release of 'Moana 2' in November 2024 has allowed new legal action.
Disney has denied the allegations, stating that 'Moana' was developed independently, with no connection to Woodall's work.