Filmmaker Buck Woodall filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company for copyright infringement, Jan. 10.
The lawsuit was filed in California federal court and appears to be the largest lawsuit filed against the entertainment giant. Woodall claimed the Disney films “Moana” and “Moana 2” copied substantial amounts of the script he wrote and exhibit “breathtaking” similarities to his script titled “Bucky the Wave Warrior,” or “Bucky,” according to the New York Post. Woodall claimed he created the script after being inspired by his “unique exposure” to the Polynesian society. He is after “at least $10 billion” in damages in addition to 2.5 % of the gross revenue from “Moana 2,” including merchandise tied to the film, which he estimates as being “at least $5 billion.”
People reported that former Mandeville Films exec Jenny Marchick, the currently head of feature development for DreamWorks Animation, is also named as a defendant.
Both “Moana” and “Moana 2” have been blockbuster hits for Disney amid a series of box office failures. The sequel became the biggest Thanksgiving weekend debut in box office history after raking in $221 million in its five-day domestic open.
The legal papers filed by Woodall allege numerous similarities between his script and “Moana,” including the plot about a teenage character on “a dangerous voyage across Polynesian waters” to save an “endangered island” and “ancient spirits manifested as animals which guide and guard the living,” according to the New York Post. The inclusion of a symbolic necklace central to the story and a demigod featuring a giant hook and tattoos are other alleged examples identified within the court documents.
Woodall’s lawsuit also alleges the filmmaker shared materials he made for “Bucky,” including an animated trailer, storyboards and a complete script, after Marchick “prodded” him for additional material, according to the New York Post.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 14: Actors Dwayne Johnson (L) and Nicole Scherzinger attend The World Premiere of Disneys “MOANA” at the El Capitan Theatre on Monday, November 14, 2016 in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Woodall alleged that he started sharing his plans for “Bucky” with Marchick when she worked for Mandeville Films in 2003. He noted the company had a “first look” deal in place with Disney at the time.
The lawsuit was filed amid Disney reportedly hoping that “Moana 2” will win a Best Animated Feature Oscar when the Academy of Motion Pictures announces this year’s nominees.
Woodall claimed what he produced for “Bucky” was registered with the Writers Guild of America and secured federal copyright protections in 2004 and again in 2014, according to the New York Post.
Disney has faced multi-million dollar litigation in the past, but this filing appears to be the largest in their history.
HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 20: A view of a “Moana 2” billboard above the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on November 20, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) Getty Images
In November 2024, the entertainment company paid $43 million to settle a lawsuit claiming female employees received less compensation than their male counterparts in similar roles for decades, according to CNN.
One month later, in December 2024, a jury sided with British production company Celador on allegations that Disney did not uphold a profit-sharing agreement for the hit show “Who Wants to be Be a Millionaire,” according to Expert Institute. Disney was forced to pay $320 million in damages, including $269.4 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.
Disney also reached a $233 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by Disneyland employees in December 2024 alleging insufficient compensation, according to Deadline. (RELATED: Disney Attempts To Evade Wrongful Death Lawsuit In The Most Shocking Way)
Woodall requested a jury trial, the lawsuit said.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
