During closing arguments at a federal trial in Los Angeles, lawyers representing a writer and animator from New Mexico will claim that the popular 2016 Disney film “Moana” was inspired by a script written by their client, Buck Woodall, about a teenage boy named Bucky. Woodall’s script, titled “Bucky the Surfer Boy,” tells the story of a teenager on vacation in Hawaii who embarks on a quest involving time travel, Native Hawaiian youth, and encounters with demigods to save a sacred part of the islands from a developer.
Woodall alleges that “Moana” shares many similarities with his script, including themes of defying parental warnings, embarking on a dangerous voyage across Polynesian waters, encountering demigods with tattoos, and exploring ancient Polynesian culture. However, defense lawyers and witnesses deny that Disney was aware of Woodall’s work, stating that “Moana” was developed independently through cultural research and internal collaboration.
A judge ruled that Woodall’s lawsuit, filed in 2020, came too late to claim a portion of the box office earnings of “Moana,” but potential damages remain from DVD and Blu-ray sales. The remaining defendant in the case is Disney subsidiary Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The film “Moana” was co-directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, filmmakers known for their contributions to Disney’s animation renaissance in the 1990s.
During the trial, jurors viewed “Moana” and scenes from other films by Musker and Clements, including “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin.” Testimonies highlighted similarities in character relationships and themes across these films. Woodall’s attorneys must demonstrate substantial similarity between his script and “Moana,” as well as prove that Disney had access to his copyrighted work.
Both the judge and jury will evaluate the case based on different tests: the judge will use an “extrinsic test” to compare individual elements, while the jury will use an “intrinsic test” to assess the overall concept and feel of the works in question.
In January, Woodall filed a second lawsuit regarding “Moana 2,” a highly successful film that grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Despite Woodall’s efforts to combine the lawsuits, the judge decided to address the newer lawsuit, which seeks up to $10 billion, separately.
