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Moana 2, the already beloved sequel to the original starring Auli’i Carvalho and David Johnsonfaces a legal battle. According The Hollywood ReporterOver the weekend, a new copyright lawsuit was filed in federal court in California, alleging that certain aspects of the film were simply lifted from a comparable story.
Here’s everything you need to know about the allegations and lawsuit.
When was the ‘Moana 2’ copyright lawsuit filed?
According THRThe action was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025 in federal court in California. The highly anticipated animated film debuted to great popularity on November 27, 2024.
Who filed the ‘Moana 2’ copyright lawsuit?
By THR, Buck Woodallan animation screenwriter, claims he wrote his own animated film titled “Bucky,” written in 2003. According to the lawsuit, “Moana and her crew are sucked into a dangerous whirlpool-like ocean portal, another unique dramatic device.” -images found in plaintiffs’ materials that could not have been developed by chance or without malicious intent.” Other supposed similarities include a hero seeking to break a curse and a dangerous journey to locate and save an ancient island.
Additionally, the complaint levels claim that the defendants had received story elements for the original. Moana from Woodall himself. “Disney Moana “caused as a result of Woodall’s delivery to Defendants of substantially all of the constituent parts necessary for their development and production after more than 17 years of inspiration and work on his animated film project,” the lawsuit states.
The defendants include the head of development at Dreamworks Animation. Jenny Marchickwho at the time was director of development for Mandeville Movies, which had a “first look” deal with the animation giant.
Disney denies the allegations and claims that no one on Disney projects had seen Woodall’s creative work. “Moana “was in no way inspired or based on (Woodall) or his ‘Bucky’ project, which I first learned about after this lawsuit was filed,” director clementes rumone of the directors of the first Moanahe wrote in his court statement, according to the outlet. Disney also reportedly included supporting documents showing the company’s research, development, story concepts, and even travelogues. Moanato the court.
According THRA judge ruled in November 2024 that the first lawsuit for Moana would not proceed because Woodall brought the action “too late.” With the release of the sequel came the opportunity to refile the lawsuit.
How much has ‘Moana 2’ earned at the box office so far?
Deadline reported on December 24, 2024, that Moana 2 had raised a gigantic sum of more than $800 million. By January 5, Varietythe film was on track to reach $1 billion in revenue, topping $950 million. It debuted with more than $220 million in November. Woodall is seeking $10 billion in damages, or 2.5 percent of gross receipts. According THRalso seeks a court order restraining any further alleged infringement of its copyrights.
