A jury sided with Disney in the original 'Moana' dispute, but a new lawsuit over 'Moana 2,' seeking a staggering $10 billion, threatens to reignite the battle over who truly conceived the Polynesian adventure.

Did Disney Steal the Waves? Jury Says "No" – For Now!

Buck Woodall's five-year legal odyssey, alleging Disney ripped off his Bucky the Surfer Boy concept for the original Moana, has hit a snag. A Los Angeles jury found in favor of the Mouse House, determining that John Musker, Ron Clements, and the Disney machine had no knowledge of Woodall's work during Moana's creation.

"We are incredibly proud of the collective work that went into the making of Moana and are pleased that the jury found it had nothing to do with Plaintiff’s works," – Disney spokesperson

But hold on, this isn't the end of the story!

$10 Billion on the Line: 'Moana 2' Copyright War Begins!

Woodall isn't backing down. He's launched a separate copyright infringement lawsuit, seeking a whopping $10 billion from Disney, alleging that Moana 2 also infringes on his Bucky the Surfer Boy creation. This equates to roughly 2.5% of the gross revenue from Moana 2.

The Alleged Inside Connection: A Relative's Role

Woodall claims that beginning in 2004, he shared his Bucky the Surfer Boy materials, including a finished script, with Jenny Marchick, then a director of development at Mandeville Films, which operated on the Disney lot.

Here's where things get interesting:

• Disney documents revealed that work on the Herman Melville-inspired Moana began in 2011.
• Woodall's lawyers are seizing on this timeline, suggesting Disney had access to his ideas through Marchick.

The "Scheme": A Thirst for Success?

The lawsuit alleges a "two-decade-long scheme" orchestrated by Marchick, who Woodall claims sought to advance her career by stealing his copyrighted materials.

"This case arises from a two-decade-long scheme masterminded by Marchick but ultimately joined in with malice and for profit by all Defendants...to steal all the components of Plaintiffs Copyrighted Materials...This theft resulted in...one of the most unique and profitable animated film franchises...directly resulting in the Disney franchise known as Moana." – Woodall's complaint

The Sister-in-Law Factor

Adding another layer of complexity, Marchick is the sister-in-law of Woodall's brother. While testifying, Marchick stated she had no memory of showing Woodall's Bucky the Surfer Boy material to anyone at Disney. Correspondence revealed she even told Woodall via email that she didn't think she could assist him.

What's Next? Disney's Counter-Move

A trial date for the Moana 2 case hasn't been set, but expect Disney to swiftly file a motion to dismiss, citing the outcome of the first trial. Will Woodall's Hail Mary succeed, or will Disney once again navigate these treacherous legal waters unscathed? Stay tuned!