Los Angeles, California – Disney has successfully defended itself against allegations that its popular film “Moana” borrowed creative content without permission. On Monday, a federal jury decisively ruled that Disney did not have access to the material of Buck Woodall, who had claimed his project “Bucky the Surfer Boy” was the inspiration for the 2016 blockbuster.
Woodall’s lawsuit, first filed in 2020, sought $100 million in damages. He asserted that in 2004, he shared his story outline with Jenny Marchick, a representative at Mandeville Films. Mandeville, which was operating under a first-look deal with Disney at the time, continuously received more materials from Woodall over the years. His surprise and concern grew when he recognized elements he believed were distinctly similar to his own work in “Moana,” a film that has grossed nearly $700 million globally.
During the trial, it was revealed that Marchick had never forwarded Woodall’s project to Disney, supported by messages where she explicitly stated she could not assist him. Over time, Marchick ceased communication with Woodall, further distancing his work from Disney’s creative process.
In the courtroom, the defense highlighted that elements from Polynesian mythology and cultural motifs, such as ancestral spirits and celestial navigation, which were present in both stories, are part of the public domain and cannot be copyrighted. Disney’s legal team, led by attorney Moez Kaba, presented substantial evidence demonstrating that the directors John Musker and Ron Clements developed “Moana” independently, with no knowledge of Woodall’s “Bucky.”
Woodall’s attorney, Gustavo Lage, argued that the striking resemblance between the stories — both featuring young protagonists on a crucial journey across Polynesian waters in an outrigger canoe — implied that Disney drew from Woodall’s concepts. However, without proof of Disney’s access to the material, the jury quickly dismissed these claims after just 2.5 hours of deliberation.
The verdict left Woodall’s claims significantly diminished, with only Buena Vista Home Entertainment remaining in the case due to a timing issue in filing the original complaint. Woodall continues his legal battle against Disney in a separate lawsuit concerning Moana’s sequel, released in November 2024. This newer case is still under judicial review.
This legal scenario underscores the complexities involved in copyright infringement cases within the entertainment industry, particularly when dealing with cultural and mythological narratives that are part of the public domain. It highlights the challenges creators face when establishing proprietary rights over traditional stories that have been shared across generations.
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