With Elon Musk’s Help, Gina Carano is Suing Disney Over Her 2021 ‘Mandalorian’ Firing
Almost three years after she was fired from the popular Star Wars streaming series The Mandalorian, actress Gina Carano is suing The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm, alleging that she was terminated for simply voicing right-wing opinions on social media.
Carano is accusing Disney and Lucasfilm of harassment and defamation after she refused to “conform” to their views on issues such as Black Lives Matter, preferred pronouns, and election interference.
Photo: Lucasfilm
Carano says she was fired for her cultural and religious beliefs. Meanwhile, she argues, Disney did nothing when her male costars made offensive posts directed at Republicans. Specifically, she cites Pedro Pascal’s 2017 post comparing former president Donald Trump to Hitler.
Carano Says She Was Unfairly Fired and Targeted Afterwards
In her suit, Carano alleges that Disney required her to meet with a representative of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination and demanded a public apology from her.
“Defendants went so far as to try and convince Carano’s publicist to force Carano to issue a statement admitting to mocking or insulting an entire group of people, which Carano had never done,” the complaint states.
THE MANDALORIAN. Gina Carano is Cara Dune
After refusing to issue the mandated apology, Carano was told to meet with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and 45 employees who identify as LGBTQ. When she declined, the actress says she was terminated from The Mandalorian, and her upcoming starring role in Rangers of the New Republic was scrapped.
Following her termination, Carano alleges that Disney engaged in a “post-termination smear campaign” and specifically cites the removal of an episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls. While the episode eventually aired, Disney omitted any mention of her name from promotional materials.
THE MANDALORIAN. (Left to right) Gina Carano is Cara Dune, Pedro Pascal is the Mandalorian and Carl Weathers is Greef Karga
Claiming both wrongful discharge and sex discrimination, Carano is seeking a court order that would force Lucasfilm to recast her, $75,000, and punitive damages.
“Some of us have been unjustly singled out, harassed, persecuted and had our livelihoods stripped away because we dared to encourage conversation, asked questions, and refused to go along with the mob,” she said in a statement.
Elon Musk is Funding the SUit
Carano’s suit is being funded by Disney antagonist Elon Musk, who is making good on a promise to pay the legal bills for users of X who claim that they have been discriminated against due to their activity on the platform.
Photo: The Hollywood Reporter
“As a sign of X Corp’s commitment to free speech, we’re proud to provide financial support for Gina Carano’s lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination,” X’s head of business operations Joe Benarroch said.
In a lengthy post, Carano thanked Musk for the support.
Photo: EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA
“I am honored that my case has been chosen to be supported by the company that has been one of the last glimmers of hope for free speech in the world,” she wrote in part.
Disney Finds Itself In the Middle of the Culture Wars Again
As an at-will employee in the public sector, Carano will have an uphill battle to obtain damages for her termination.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Perhaps more damaging for Disney, however, is that the company will once again find itself in the middle of the Culture Wars, this time with the deep-pocketed Musk as their adversary.
