Disney is facing a lawsuit over “Moana 2”. This 2024 movie is a sequel to the 2016 hit and continues the adventure of Moana gathering a crew for a new journey at sea with her friend Maui. The film’s success has led to it becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of 2024, with a worldwide gross of $964 million.
In addition to its box office success, “Moana 2” is a strong contender in various award categories for the 2024-2025 season. It has been nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes and its song “Beyond” has been considered for an Academy Award nomination.
However, Disney is currently facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over “Moana 2”. Animator Buck Woodall is suing Disney for $10 billion, claiming that the movie infringes on his copyrighted screenplay for a movie named “Bucky”. The lawsuit highlights similarities between the two stories, including setting, characters, and story elements.
This is not the first time Disney has been involved in a copyright lawsuit. Previous cases involving “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Beauty and the Beast” have been contested in court. The outcome of this current lawsuit could have a substantial impact on the future of the “Moana” franchise.
While the legal battle unfolds, the release of the live-action remake of “Moana” and potential sequels may be affected. Disney may need to take steps to ensure the franchise’s longevity, including possibly involving Woodall in future productions to resolve the legal issues.
The lawsuit may also impact “Moana 2″‘s chances at awards, including the Oscars. The controversy surrounding the lawsuit could influence award committees’ decisions, potentially affecting the movie’s nominations and chances of winning.
This legal dispute is ongoing and the results could take years to resolve. Despite the challenges, Disney will likely take steps to protect its franchise and address the copyright infringement allegations to ensure the success and continuation of the “Moana” series.