The Moana franchise has been a massive success for Disney, grossing over $1.6 billion at the box office. But now, the beloved animated film is at the center of a high-stakes copyright lawsuit, with animator Buck Woodall claiming that Disney stole his work.
Woodall alleges that Moana — and its sequel, Moana 2 — were copied from his unproduced film, Bucky. He’s now suing Disney for $10 billion and demanding an injunction to stop the company from using what he claims is his intellectual property.
What's the Moana Lawsuit About?
The Moana lawsuit highlights over two dozen striking similarities between Bucky and Moana, including:
• A rebellious Polynesian teen setting out on an ocean voyage
• Animal spirit guides protecting the protagonist
• A symbolic necklace central to the story
• A tattooed demigod with a giant hook
• A giant creature disguised as a mountain
He argues that these details aren’t just coincidental but proof of copying.
Disney’s Defense: A Coincidence or Common Themes?
Disney strongly denies the allegations, arguing that:
• Moana was inspired by Polynesian history and mythology, not Bucky.
• No one involved in Moana’s creation had access to Woodall’s work.
• The similarities come from common cultural elements that cannot be copyrighted.
Disney has also provided extensive documentation of Moana’s development, including research trips to Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti, to support their claim that the film was an independent creation.
Does Woodall Have a Case? Here’s What He Needs to Prove in the Lawsuit
Winning a copyright lawsuit — especially against a company as powerful as Disney —won’t be easy. Woodall must prove:
Access: That Disney had the opportunity to see Bucky before creating Moana. He claims a former film executive with ties to Disney saw Bucky and passed the materials along.
Substantial Similarity: That Moana isn’t just inspired by Polynesian mythology, but specifically copied Bucky.
Willful Copying: That Disney knowingly used his work for financial gain.
If Woodall wins, Disney could be forced to pay billions in damages and halt future Moana projects. But proving intentional copying is difficult, and courts are often hesitant to rule against major studios without overwhelming evidence.
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