Evel Knievel’s Son Sues Disney & Pixar Over Toy Story Character

He’s Filing A Case Over An Alleged “Knock Off”

Famous stuntman Evel Knievel’s son Kelly is suing Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar over the “Toy Story 4” character Duke Caboom which was voiced by Keanu Reeves.

Kelly Knievel owns the Las Vegas-based K and K Promotions and has had the publicity rights to Evel Knievel since 1978. He filed the federal trademark lawsuit and is seeking damages of over $300,000 as he accused the studios of false endorsement and unjust enrichment.

He alleged that Duke Caboom was based on his father. The case reads, “Evel Knievel did not thrill millions, break his bones and spill his blood just so Disney could make a bunch of money.”

Disney has denied the allegations but the Duke Caboom character has been described by Pixar as a “1970s toy based on Canada’s greatest daredevil and stuntman” and with “his trusty Caboom stunt-cycle”, “has confidence and swagger” but “has never been able to do the stunts as advertised by his own toy commercial”.

A stunt toy sold to market the latest “Toy Story” movie is also similar to the Evel Knievel toy released back in 1973 and has recently been re-released. Caboom was even included in a McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion.

K and K Promotions responded to Disney’s denial by writing on Facebook that “It is obvious Duke Caboom is a knock off of Evel Knievel. I don’t see a big long line of Disney executives ready to get on a motorcycle and jump 13 buses, nor do I remember any Canadian daredevils from the 70s. While we note that Disney uses their Mickey Mouse lawyers to aggressively protect Disney intellectual property, they did not seek permission to use Evel Knievel at any time.”