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Animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit against Disney, claiming that the company copied his script, Bucky, for the production of Moana and its sequel.
The Hollywood Reporter is filed a lawsuitWoodall reports that Disney claims to have used plot elements, themes, and designs from his own work.
This is not the first time Woodall has taken legal action against Disney. A similar lawsuit was dismissed due to statute of limitations in November.
With the release of “Moana 2,” it is now possible to make a new claim for infringement by citing new grounds for infringement.
Alleged plagiarism of “Moana and its sequels”
What we know:
In a lawsuit filed Friday in California federal court, Woodall alleges that Disney used material he shared with Mandeville Films, which had a first-look deal with Disney at the time, in 2003.
He claims to have provided Mandeville with the script, storyboards, and character designs for “Bucky,” a story set in an ancient Polynesian village.
Udall said both films share important elements, including themes such as Polynesian spirituality, protagonists embarking on dangerous journeys, and encounters with hooks and tattooed demigods.
He also points out similarities to Moana 2, such as the protagonist exploring an ancient island and taking on a mission to break a curse.
What we don’t know:
Disney has not commented on the lawsuit, and it remains unclear whether anyone within Disney directly reviewed Woodall’s material before developing “Moana.”
Woodall claims the similarities are too specific to be a coincidence, but Disney has previously maintained that Moana was independently developed.
Why you should care:
The lawsuit highlights the continuing debate over intellectual property and creative rights in Hollywood.
As Disney faces new scrutiny, this lawsuit could have a significant impact on how the studio handles submissions and develops culturally influenced films.
Is this lawsuit new?
Back story:
This is not the first time Woodall has filed a legal challenge against Disney. In November, a court ruled that although a jury could find the works to be similar, the original lawsuit was filed too late.
The release of Moana 2 gives Woodall another opportunity to sue for further copyright infringement.
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This article is based on reporting by The Hollywood Reporter, which obtained and reviewed the lawsuit, as well as court documents detailing past proceedings.
