Why is Disney being sued for billions over 'Moana 2'?

An animator is suing Disney for allegedly stealing the idea for the House of Mouse’s Moana films, which he claims have almost entirely been lifted from his screenplay without his consent.

Buck Woodall’s suit alleges Disney stole many elements of his animated film project titled Bucky - a “fraudulent enterprise that encompassed the theft, misappropriation and extensive exploitation of Woodall’s copyrighted materials” on part of former Mandeville Films development director Jenny Marchick. 

Woodall alleges he produced a screenplay and trailer for Bucky, which features a main character who encounters a tattooed demigod with a giant hook and a giant creature that's concealed within a mountain, and began sharing details of said project with Marchick in 2003. 

Marchick, who is now DreamWorks Animation's head of development for features, asked for materials like production plans, character designs and storyboards, and reassured Woodall she could get the film greenlit. 

Woodall has accused Marchick of using legal loopholes to pass on his materials to Disney and claims he received copyright protection for his Bucky materials in 2004 - a copyright that was updated in 2014.

“Disney’s Moana was produced in the wake of Woodall’s delivery to the defendants of virtually all constituent parts necessary for its development and production after more than 17 years of inspiration and work on his animated film project,” the suit states. 

The suit also points out alleged overlaps between Bucky and Moana 2. 

Both are set in an ancient Polynesian village and follow teens who attempt to save their land and meet ancient spirits who manifest as animals. The suit specifically points out details like the rooster and pig companions, a quest to break a curse,