So you’re telling me Moana could have been a boy named Bucky?
A $10 Billion Lawsuit Over Disney’s Golden Globe Nominee ‘Moana 2’
In case you missed all the buzz that has been brewing the past few days, filmmaker, Buck Woodall, filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney Company on January 10th in California.
Although this is a very fresh and developing lawsuit that has surfaced, the feud dates back to the early 2000s. Buck Woodall is claiming Disney copyrighted and stole elements from his screenplay he wrote called “Bucky,” another animated film.
Supposedly, both films are centered around the Polynesian islands where a fearless teenager becomes a voyager in hopes to save their villages by going against their parent’s wishes encountering obstacles of spirits manifesting themselves as animals.
Sounds familiar?
Here’s what we know, Book Woodall wrote a screenplay back in 2003, he sent the screenplay to Disney, and when “Moana” was released he claims there were copyright infringements, but the judge (at that time) dismissed the case stating he filed too late. Fast forward, with the release of “Moana 2,” it obviously follows and expounds on the previous storyline told in the first “Moana.” Now, since the movie is about two months fresh from the initial release, Woodall is making his claims again and suing “Moana 2.”
For more information there are countless articles breaking down the lawsuit even more, but today, I want to spark the conversation. First off, I’m not trying to talk down on my favorite movie of 2024, (might I add, it made me cry) but my brain is whirring and we need to talk about this.
I’m not saying I side with Buck Woodall, but for him to sue for $10 BILLION DOLLARS, he must have a case?! As a fellow creative, author, journalist, etc, I would hate it if someone stole my work, concepts, and storyboards and made an absolute killing off of it with no credit whatsoever. Suing one of the most powerful, creative, influential companies in the world is a bold statement. I give him credit, he has some balls going after the Walt Disney Company. Not only is he suing for $10 billion dollars, but he claims he is also entitled to 2.5% of gross revenue earned by Disney from the “Moana 2” film, as well as related merchandise, which he states would be “at least $5 billion.”
BUT – heavy on the but – why now? Woodall had years to say something. Maybe I didn’t do enough digging and he has, but this is my first hearing of such an allegation. He easily could have started a smear campaign, but now?! I know the judge dismissed his claim initially, but hear me out –
Woodall wrote the screenplay for “Bucky” in 2003. In 2011, he submitted the final script of “Bucky” in 2011. In 2016, “Moana” was released. In 2024, “Moana 2” was released. It. Has. Been. Years.
If Woodall wanted to have made it known, he really could have come with the receipts and utilized the power of social media to really present his case and leave it up for the people to analyze. We all know how strong “the people” of social media can be, it is truly the American jury, and we can’t even hate on it because it is constitutional.
We saw it with Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s case. Once you give the people the receipts and let them in on it, the people will have a verdict and the repercussions are apparent.
So personally, I do not know what to believe. I see what all these other journalists and media platforms have released but truthfully, I need to see the work for myself.
I need whoever legally can to present the work of Buck Woodall from way back when he created “Bucky” to the conversations he had with Jenny Marchick back in 2011 when he submitted his final script.
Jenny Marchick is a pivotal character in this lawsuit, along with Disney, she is named as a defendant. Marchick used to be the former executive at Mandeville Films, an independent film company, and was named head of feature development for DreamWorks Animation in 2020. Also at that time when she was at Mandeville Films, it is to be said Marchick had a first-look agreement with Disney at the time.
According to the lawsuit, Woodall is requesting a jury, so we shall see how everything plays out in the court of law.
As this lawsuit unravels, it is the award season for films! “Moana 2’s” song “Beyond” is on the list for an Academy Award nomination (IMDB), so as this case develops we will also see how this affects their potential accolades.
Like I said, I love Moana, the whole franchise, and I love the people who have worked on the film. However, I am intrigued by what has been released. I am on my toes and glued to my screen to see any updates of what’s developing, because just like the rest of us film lovers, I want to know the truth, and I want to see the credit be given where it is due.
Photo Credits: Disney Animation Studios
