Just as “Moana 2” is making a splash at the box office and generating Oscar buzz, Disney finds itself in choppy waters. Animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit claiming that Disney ripped off his ideas for both “Moana” and its sequel.
This isn’t the first time Woodall has tried to take Disney to court over “Moana.” He filed a similar lawsuit back in 2016, but it was dismissed because he sued too late. However, the release of “Moana 2” has given him a new opportunity to make his case.
The lawsuit also points to specific plot points and characters that allegedly overlap, including a symbolic necklace, a demigod with a giant hook and tattoos, and a giant creature hidden within a mountain.
Disney, of course, denies any wrongdoing. They claim that “Moana” was developed independently and that no one involved in its creation saw Woodall’s materials. They’ve even submitted documents detailing the origin and development of “Moana” to support their claims.
Woodall is seeking a hefty sum in damages – a cool $10 billion, or 2.5% of “Moana’s” gross revenue. He also wants a court order to prevent Disney from further infringing on his copyrights.
This lawsuit could have significant implications for Disney, especially with “Moana 2” potentially in the running for an Oscar nomination.
