Disney Faces Copyright Lawsuit Over Moana 2 Amid Awards Season
Disney is facing a significant legal challenge over its highly anticipated Moana 2, the sequel to the 2016 hit Moana. The 2024 animated movie, which continues Moana’s (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) seafaring adventure alongside the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), has already made waves at the box office, earning $964 million globally. This success has cemented it as one of the top-grossing films of 2024.
Beyond box office triumph, Moana 2 is a strong contender during the 2024-2025 awards season. It received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature, though it lost to Flow. Additionally, its song “Beyond” has made it to the Oscar shortlist for Best Original Song, with official nominations set to be announced on January 19, after a slight delay due to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.
However, the film now finds itself embroiled in a serious legal dispute that could have major consequences.
The Lawsuit: Buck Woodall vs. Disney
Animator Buck Woodall is suing Disney for $10 billion, claiming that Moana 2 infringes on his copyrighted screenplay for Bucky, a project he first shared with Mandeville Films in 2003. Woodall alleges that Disney used elements from his screenplay in the creation of Moana 2, after he submitted his work along with a concept trailer to Jenny Marchick, the Director of Development at Mandeville Films, which had a first-look deal with Disney.
The lawsuit highlights several similarities between Moana 2 and Bucky:
- Both feature an ancient Polynesian village as the setting.
- A teenager embarks on an ocean adventure involving ancestral spirits manifesting as animals.
- The adventure is initiated by a turtle.
- A symbolic necklace plays a central role in the story.
- A hook-wielding demigod with tattoos is a key supporting character.
- A large creature is hidden within a mountain.
- The crew is sucked into a whirlpool-like portal.
Woodall’s first lawsuit, filed against the original Moana, was dismissed in November due to timing issues. However, he has now refiled, and the case includes new claims that Disney’s Moana and Moana 2 were directly influenced by his materials, which were submitted to Disney nearly two decades ago. Woodall is seeking $10 billion or 2.5% of Moana 2’s total gross revenue.
Impact on Moana 2 and Future Projects
The outcome of the lawsuit could take years to resolve, and while a $10 billion payout might not severely affect Disney financially, the legal findings could impact the future of the Moana franchise. If the court rules in Woodall’s favor, it could halt the production of further Moana films in their current form, including any potential sequels like Moana 3 or the upcoming live-action remake, in which Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as Maui.
Despite this, Disney may take steps to secure the franchise’s future by involving Woodall in future projects. It’s possible that he could be brought on as an executive producer or offered a share in future profits, potentially allowing new installments to move forward.
Awards Season Under Cloud of Legal Dispute
The lawsuit’s timing is particularly problematic for Moana 2‘s chances during awards season. With the Oscars just around the corner, the ongoing legal battle could affect the film’s chances of securing nominations, especially in the Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song categories.
While Moana 2‘s song “Beyond” is currently shortlisted for the Best Original Song Oscar, the Academy may choose to steer clear of any potential controversy by not nominating it at all. The competition in the Animated Feature category is also fierce, with several other films vying for a spot, such as The Wild Robot, Inside Out 2, and Memoir of a Snail. With only five nominations available, Moana 2 could easily be overlooked.
Furthermore, Moana 2‘s awards prospects have already been rocky. Although it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Animated Feature, it ultimately lost to Flow, and the film has yet to secure any major nominations from critics’ groups or guilds, such as the Critics’ Choice Awards or the SAG Awards.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Disney?
With Moana 2‘s box office success, legal battles, and awards season hopes all in the spotlight, Disney is facing an uncertain future for its flagship franchise. While the company is likely to explore ways to keep the franchise alive—potentially with Woodall’s involvement—this lawsuit could have lasting effects on the Moana legacy.
The ongoing legal and awards challenges add complexity to Disney’s plans, and it remains to be seen how this all plays out. With the official Oscar nominations looming and the lawsuit ongoing, Moana 2’s awards season journey could become more complicated in the weeks ahead.
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