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January 12, 2025 — As the countdown to the Academy Award nominations continues, Disney’s Moana 2 faces a significant legal challenge. Animator Buck Woodall has filed a lawsuit in a California federal court, accusing Disney of copying elements from his unpublished screenplay, Bucky. The lawsuit, filed on January 10, 2025, comes amid Moana 2’s successful run at the box office and its potential to earn multiple nominations at the upcoming Oscars, including Best Animated Feature.
Woodall, who has previously sued Disney over similarities between his original work and the first Moana film, claims that both Moana and its sequel bear striking resemblances to his own creation, a screenplay he describes as an animated film called Bucky. The lawsuit highlights several key elements that the plaintiff argues were lifted from Bucky:
- Setting: Both Moana and Bucky are set against the backdrop of an ancient Polynesian village, featuring rich cultural and spiritual elements drawn from Polynesian mythology.
- Plot: At the heart of both stories are teenage protagonists who defy their parents and venture on dangerous quests to protect their homes.
- Supernatural Encounters: The characters in both films engage with animal spirits, which are manifestations of their ancestors—an element central to Woodall’s Bucky narrative.
Woodall’s claims are especially significant as Moana 2 has emerged as a frontrunner for multiple award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, for the track “Beyond.” The film’s success is not only reflected in its critical acclaim but also its impressive box office earnings, with the sequel grossing nearly $1 billion globally. This financial success has solidified Moana 2 as one of the highest-grossing films of 2024, further amplifying the stakes of the lawsuit.
In the new lawsuit, Woodall is seeking 2.5% of the Moana franchise’s gross revenue, which he estimates could amount to $10 billion. This represents a sizable financial claim given the continuing commercial success of both the original Moana and its sequel.
This is not the first time Woodall has taken legal action against Disney over alleged copyright infringement. In a previous lawsuit related to the original Moana film, Woodall claimed that the movie’s storyline bore a striking resemblance to Bucky. However, that lawsuit was dismissed in 2017, with the court ruling that Woodall had filed his case too late. Despite this setback, Woodall’s legal team believes that the sequel offers him a renewed opportunity for compensation and recognition for his work.
Legal experts will closely monitor the case, as it could set a precedent for future copyright disputes in the entertainment industry, particularly in relation to animated films. Disney, known for its massive influence in Hollywood, has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit, but it is expected that the company will mount a vigorous defense against the claims.
With the official Oscar nominations set to be announced on January 19, 2025, after a brief delay due to ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, Moana 2’s potential recognition at the prestigious ceremony could be overshadowed by the looming legal battle. The film’s soundtrack, including the much-anticipated song “Beyond,” has already garnered attention for its emotional depth and musical composition, adding further excitement to the film’s prospects during the awards season.
As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on whether this lawsuit will impact the Moana franchise’s legacy and its chances at securing an Academy Award nomination. Woodall’s claims could reshape the conversation around creative ownership, storytelling, and the balance of inspiration and innovation in Hollywood’s thriving animation sector.