In a bold move that intensifies the ongoing dispute surrounding her dismissal from The Mandalorian, actress Gina Carano has filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination. To add to the absurdity, it’s backed by Elon Musk, because apparently melting millions of dollars of brand value over at X isn’t enough failure for him.
In case you missed it, Gina Carano played Cara Dune in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian on Disney+. After alleged racist comments on her personal social media, Lucasfilm ended her stint on the Star Wars show, and simultaneously she was let go by her former talent agency UTA. Plans for Carano starring in her own spinoff series were also apparently cancelled.
Today is an important day for me–I am filing a lawsuit against @lucasfilm & @Disney
After my 20 years of building a career from scratch, and during the regime of former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, Lucasfilm made this statement on Twitter, terminating me from The Mandalorian: “Gina…— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) February 6, 2024
Carano’s complaint was submitted in a California federal court on February 6, 2024. The suit contends that she was fired due to expressing her personal opinions on certain issues on social media. Her legal plea includes a request for a court order mandating Lucasfilm to recast her character.
What makes this entire situation more interesting is that Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), Tesla, and SpaceX, is footing the bill. This is in conjunction with honoring his commitment to cover legal expenses for users who claim discrimination based on their social media platform activities.
Joe Benarroch, Head of Business Operations at X, affirmed the company’s dedication to free speech, stating, “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.”
Freedom of speech and information independence are inextricably linked — both play a big role in tackling major societal issues that are key to transforming the world. https://t.co/CbSocZYyDf
— Joe Benarroch (@benarroch_joe) January 23, 2024
In response to the controversy, Carano clarified her position on X, stating, “My words were consistently twisted to demonize & dehumanize me as an alt-right wing extremist.” According to the documents of the legal filing under Schaerr Jaffe LLP, Disney insisted that Carano, who received $25,000 per episode as a guest actor along with a negotiated $5,000 bonus, meet with representatives from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination and issue a public apology.
The complaint asserts that the defendants attempted to coerce her publicist into making a statement acknowledging her alleged mockery of an entire group of people, a claim Carano denies. Refusing to comply, Carano was allegedly instructed to meet with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and 45 LGBTQ+ identified employees, a meeting she declined. Shortly thereafter, she was terminated from The Mandalorian and other Star Wars titles, including Rangers of the New Republic.
Carano further claims that Disney engaged in a post-termination smear campaign, highlighting the removal and subsequent airing of an episode of ‘Running Wild With Bear Grylls’ in which she appeared.
Despite the episode’s eventual broadcast, Disney allegedly omitted her name and likeness from promotional materials. In addition, Carano asserted that The Mandalorian lead actor Pedro Pascal had made similar comments on his social media, but did not receive the same treatment from Disney.
The lawsuit attributes Disney’s termination as the catalyst for UTA and Carano’s transactional lawyer severing ties with her. Carano is seeking damages for wrongful discharge, sex discrimination, and a court order to compel Lucasfilm to recast her, along with a minimum of $75,000 in compensation plus punitive damages.
Carano expressed gratitude for Musk’s support, stating (apparently with a straight face, which, impressive), “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.”
With The Mandalorian now expanding into an upcoming theatrical movie, how will Gina Carano’s lawsuit affect its production? If Carano wins her case, would the Rangers of the New Republic spinoff be revived?
