K&K Promotions, a company that owns the rights to Evel Knievel’s likeness, persona, and brand, has just filed suit against Disney, Pixar, and a host of their subsidiaries for allegedly using a rip-off version of the legendary American motorcycle daredevil in the latest’ Toy Story’ movie.
The company claims that it did not authorize nor receive an approval request to base the stuntman driver toy Duke Caboom voiced by Keanu Reeves after Evel.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, K&K believes that “Evel’s style, influence, and even a nod to his famous stunt cycle toy from the ’70s is sprinkled throughout the film.”
Knievel was an iconic stuntman in the ’70s, well-known for signature white suit and helmet that was “decorated with a red, white, and blue American flag-like decal.”
K&K states that Caboom had a similar wardrobe in “Toy Story 4.” In the movie, Caboom is Canadian, and his design reflected the country’s flag with maple leaf designs.
The company mentions that Disney told the cast of ‘Toy Story 4’ and production crew to “purposely” avoid referring to Evel’s name during interviews and other trademarked items.
An example used to back up their claims was when Tony Hale had a complicated logical thought process in an interview about why his character was called Forky when he resembles a Spork.
It was because Disney was concerned about “running afoul” of current trademarks for the word “spork” and attempted to maneuver around using it but somehow still used it in the end, according to K&K, who says the same thing happened with Evel.
The company insists that Disney used a lot of different toys in “Toys Story 4” and benefited from it financially. K&K seeks actual, compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages, as well as profits from the film “in an amount to be determined at trial,” the press release states.
Knievel’s son Kelly and a K&K spokesperson said, “Evel Knievel did not thrill millions around the world, break his bones and spill his blood just so Disney could make a bunch of money.”
“He remains an instantly-recognized icon, as demonstrated by the huge popularity of the re-issued Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle among kids who hadn’t even been born when my father died a dozen years ago,” Kelly added, per the release.
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