In 2016, Disney released Moana, introducing the company’s first Polynesian princess. Set on the island of Motunui, which is slowly dying, Moana must defy her father and embark on a perilous journey across the sea to restore the heart of Te Fiti in order to save her island and people. Along the way, she teams up with the demigod Maui, who helps her on her quest.
From the moment it hit theaters, Moana was a massive success. Audiences were captivated by the story and the unforgettable music, written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. In fact, seven years after its release, in 2023, Moana became the most streamed movie on Disney’s platform, Disney+.
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In February 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger surprised fans when he announced that Moana 2 would be arriving in theaters that November. The news of a sequel was unexpected but met with widespread excitement.
Iger revealed that Moana 2 was initially conceived as a Disney+ original series. However, after executives saw the footage, they were so impressed that they decided to rework it into a full-length sequel film.
Released in November 2024, the sequel to the beloved 2016 animated hit Moana was expected to replicate its predecessor’s success. Instead, it’s now the focus of a lawsuit that could cost Disney billions.
Related: ‘Moana 2’’s Success Sparks Labor Concerns in Disney Animation
The Origins of the Dispute
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Buck Woodall claims Disney lifted significant elements of his screenplay Bucky, originally submitted to Jenny Marchick, then a development director at Mandeville Films, in 2003.
Starting in 2003, Woodall says he provided the screenplay and a trailer for “Bucky” to former Mandeville Films director of development Jenny Marchick, now DreamWorks Animation’s head of development for features. She allegedly asked about providing further materials — including character designs, production plans and storyboards — by assuring him she could greenlight the film. At the time, Mandeville had a first look deal with Disney and had offices on its facilities in Burbank, according to the complaint.
Woodall previously attempted to sue Disney after Moana premiered in 2016, but the case was dismissed as it was filed too late. Now, with Moana 2, he’s back with fresh claims, alleging new overlaps between his story and the sequel.
Key Allegations and Demands
The lawsuit draws attention to striking plot points, and that these creative elements, Woodall asserts, could not have been independently developed without “malicious intent.”
Also at issue are alleged overlaps between “Bucky” and Moana 2. Both works, for instance, feature the protagonist searching for an ancient island and undertaking a missions to break a curse. The lawsuit adds, “Moana and her crew are sucked into a perilous whirlpool-like oceanic portal, another dramatic and unique device-imagery found in Plaintiffs materials that could not possibly have been developed by chance or without malicious intentions.”
Woodall is demanding substantial compensation—2.5% of Moana’s gross profits, amounting to approximately $10 billion. Additionally, he seeks an injunction to prevent Disney from further using his ideas.
Disney Responds… Or Does It?
Disney has yet to issue an official statement regarding this latest lawsuit. However, when Woodall filed his original case, Moana co-director Ron Clements denied any knowledge of Bucky.
In a statement, Clements asserted, “We were unaware of the script until the lawsuit was filed.” Disney also presented extensive documentation showcasing the origins of Moana, including research journals and pitch ideas.
The stakes are high, not just financially, but also for Disney’s reputation as a creative powerhouse. The company’s ability to navigate this controversy could shape the legacy of Moana and its sequels.
As legal proceedings unfold, audiences are left wondering: is any story truly original, or do all tales draw from shared cultural archetypes? While Disney’s future with Moana remains uncertain, one thing is clear—this lawsuit has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be another shining success.
Share your thoughts: did Disney go too far, or is this just a case of there are no original stories anymore? Let us know in the comments below.