There’s troubled waters ahead for Moana 2. More so than sea monsters and killer coconuts: a lawsuit right in the midst of award season.
Animator Buck Woodall is taking legal action against Disney, alleging that the company used elements from his animated film “Bucky” to create the “Moana” movies.
Woodall is seeking $10 billion in damages, which amounts to 2.5% of the gross revenue generated by “Moana.” He previously tried to sue Disney when the original “Moana” was released in 2016 but was told it was too late. However, with the release of the sequel, Woodall saw a new opportunity to pursue legal action.
The screenplay for “Bucky,” copyrighted in 2003, shares similarities with “Moana,” including taking place in a Polynesian village, following a teenager on a quest to break a curse, encountering spirit animals, and meeting a magical demigod with a distinctive hook. The parallels extend to plot points such as both stories starting with scenes involving turtles or characters navigating through a whirlpool ocean portal.
In 2003, Woodall presented materials for “Bucky” to a Mandeville Films director of development who at the time had a first look deal with Disney. Disney has put forth materials to prove the originality of the Moana movies.
In a declaration of the court, Moana director Ron Clements said, “Moana was not inspired by or based in any way on [Woodall] or his ‘Bucky’ project, which I learned of for the first time after this lawsuit was filed.”
Whatever the outcome of the lawsuit is, it’s a horrible time to be sued with Oscar nominations being announced on Sunday, January, 19. The drama may cost Moana 2 nominations in the Best Animated Feature or Best Original Song groups.
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