The question of whether “Moana” was inspired by a boy named Bucky has surfaced as a focal point in a legal battle involving a New Mexico writer and animator. During closing arguments at a federal trial in Los Angeles, his attorneys claim that Walt Disney Co. used his work as the basis for their 2016 blockbuster, which follows a Polynesian princess on a mission. The original film’s sequel achieved significant success last year.
A script penned by Buck Woodall carries various titles, including “Bucky the Surfer Boy.” It tells the tale of a teenager visiting Hawaii with his family, befriending Indigenous Hawaiian youth, and embarking on a journey that incorporates time travel and interactions with demigods to protect a sacred island region from development threats.
Woodall claimed that he initially provided the script to a relative by marriage, who was employed at another company on Disney’s lot in around 2004. He was later shocked, a dozen years down the line, to see his concepts reflected in “Moana.” The lawsuit outlines numerous comparisons, asserting that both narratives center around a young protagonist who defies parental cautions, ventures across Polynesian waters, and saves a threatened island. Additionally, both stories feature encounters with a demigod possessing a large hook and tattoos, as well as protagonists who gain insight into ancient Polynesian culture during maritime escapades.
Defense attorneys and witnesses, including the individual Woodall had shared his script with, contended that no one at Disney was privy to his work. They stated that “Moana” was crafted through cultural exploration and the same internal collaboration process that characterizes other Disney films.
In court, a judge determined that Woodall’s lawsuit, filed in 2020, missed the window for laying claim to the approximate $700 million global box office earnings of “Moana.” However, the film’s DVD and Blu-ray sales remain at stake, valued at $31.4 million gross with a net profit standing at $10.4 million.
The sole remaining defendant in the case is Disney’s Buena Vista Home Entertainment subsidiary. “Moana” was co-directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, whose influence was pivotal during Disney’s animation renaissance in the 1990s. This resurgence established the company as a global leader.
Musker, during his court testimony, rejected the plagiarism accusation, expressing frustration. A relatively youthful jury composed of six women and two men watched the full “Moana” film in court, in addition to seeing scenes from previous Musker and Clements films like “The Little Mermaid.” Musker pointed out that Moana’s relationship with her father mirrored Ariel’s bond with King Triton. A defense expert drew parallels between Moana’s interactions with the shapeshifting demigod Maui and Aladdin’s dynamic with the Genie. The expert, Jeffrey Rovin, emphasized that many extrinsic elements of “Moana” are representative of previous Musker and Clements projects, as well as Disney films dating back a century.
For Woodall’s attorneys to prevail, they must establish that the works demonstrate substantial similarity and that the accused parties accessed the copyrighted piece. Both judge and jury bear the responsibility of determining substantial similarity. The judge will apply the “extrinsic test” focused on comparing individual components, whereas the jury will employ the “intrinsic test,” assessing the overall concept and sensation of both works.
In January, Woodall initiated a second lawsuit concerning “Moana 2,” which surpassed its predecessor at the box office, garnering over $1 billion worldwide. However, the judge refused to merge the two cases, and the recent lawsuit, seeking claims up to $10 billion, will be tackled separately.
