The Right-wing Star Wars actress who won a battle for free speech
She has now won a high-profile lawsuit against the company, in which it has grovellingly settled out of court and issued a humiliating statement: 'We look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms Carano in the near future.' She, meanwhile, wrote on X – the platform owned by Elon Musk, who bankrolled her case on free speech grounds and whom she thanked profusely for his assistance – 'Yes, I'm smiling.'
While the Right will be celebrating, and the liberal Left reacting in scorn and disbelief, it is useful to remember what, exactly, Carano was found 'guilty' of. When she was initially cast in the Pedro Pascal star vehicle The Mandalorian in 2019, playing the character of Cara Dune, Carano had successfully transitioned from mixed martial arts fighting into acting. Her most notable role before then was the lead in Steven Soderbergh's 2011 action picture Haywire, in which she starred opposite A-listers including Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas and Ewan McGregor.
She more than held her own, and went on to appear in the action films Fast & Furious 6 and Deadpool, as well as films with titles like Kickboxer: Vengeance and Scorched Earth. Her casting in The Mandalorian, therefore, represented a bid for respectability, positioning her as an actress rather than simply an accomplished ass-kicker. Her character swiftly became a fan favourite and, had matters been different, it is likely that Cara Dune would have continued into the show's third series, and the forthcoming film spin-off.
There was even talk of a Cara Dune series, with the potential title of Rangers of the New Republic. The Star Wars films have often been criticised for their comparatively weak female characters. Carano's unapologetically ballsy character was intended by the showrunner, Jon Favreau, to be someone who was 'raising stakes and raising hell'.
'Abhorrent and unacceptable'
Favreau got his wish, but not quite in the way that he had anticipated. Carano had never hidden her conservative political views, which she expressed in typically forthright fashion on social media. But matters shifted after the 2020 US presidential election, when she shared her belief that there had been widespread voter fraud resulting in the election being called for Joe Biden rather than Donald Trump. (She tweeted 'make voter fraud end in 2020'.)
When the Covid outbreak began, she was similarly dismissive of the widespread need for masks, suggesting that they were unnecessary. Her employers observed her remarks with gritted teeth, and waited for an opportunity to rid themselves of a potential embarrassment.
It was not long in coming. In February 2021, Carano shared an Instagram post in which she compared the apparent persecution of people for the expression of their political views to how the Jews were treated during the Holocaust. It may have been emotive, but it was also fair comment. Disney subsidiary Lucasfilm, however, did not see it like this, and described her post as 'abhorrent and unacceptable' before sacking her from The Mandalorian following a social media campaign to dismiss her bearing the hashtag #FireGinaCarano.
Lucasfilm's statement (which Carano saw online rather than being privately informed about) high-mindedly declared that 'Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future'. Both her agency and her lawyer dropped her, fearing collateral embarrassment. Carano, in other words, had been thoroughly cancelled.
But the star had made her name and forged her reputation in the ring, and she refused to go quietly. She went on the conservative podcast The Ben Shapiro Show shortly afterwards and said, 'I've seen the bullying that takes place. I'm going to go down fighting.'
Yet her dismissal also had a severe personal impact. She told the Hollywood Reporter in 2024: 'I just laid down and cried and cried. I curled into a foetal position. It's not that I didn't think that something like that could happen. It was that I couldn't imagine they would put out this horrendous statement about me after working with me – the most powerful entertainment company in the world saying that about me.'
Double standards
Had it not been for Musk publicly offering to bankroll court cases involving free speech, and the shift in political opinion in the United States, then Carano would have had limited options. She did not work again as an actress, except in a couple of low-budget, conservative-friendly productions (one of these, a satire on Hunter Biden, saw her star opposite her British equivalent, actor-turned-provocateur Laurence Fox). Yet she was also swift to observe the double standards at play.
Her co-star, Pedro Pascal, was similarly outspoken politically, but on the Left rather than the Right – something he has maintained to this day with his criticism of JK Rowling – and tweeted in 2018 that the treatment of migrant children in the US was akin to that of the Jewish people in the Holocaust. As Carano told Shapiro: 'I know that we both have mis-stepped on our tweets. We're not perfect. We're human beings. But he's not a bad human being. He's a sweet person.'
Yet Pascal faced no sanction from anyone at Disney or Lucasfilm. Carano, however, was 'watched like a hawk. I had a problem because I wasn't going along with the narrative'.
Carano admitted that she had acted in a way that had marked her out. She had posted things on social media that were felt to be critical of trans people and the modish Black Lives Matter movement, and she later told the Hollywood Reporter: 'Stuff like that I deleted, because I don't want to be associated with anything like that.'
Yet the perception of her as a Right-wing provocateur – worsened when she used the words 'boop/bop/beep' as her pronouns in her Twitter bio – resulted in her being sent by Lucasfilm and Disney to what she described as 'a re-education camp', where she was told by transgender representatives from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) that she was expected to put out a statement of apology. Although she described the conversation as 'sweet and fun', and the representatives as 'lovely people', Carano called it 'one of those statements that almost makes you roll your eyes'.
She was then ordered to attend a mass meeting of the LGBTQ group at the studio, which she was sternly informed would be a 'litmus test' for whether she could have a career in the future. She declined, saying instead, 'Can I take five or six of these trans leaders to dinner? I'll pay for it.' Her offer was declined, and that was it for her.
Prior to her firing, Pascal – who has a trans sister, and whom Carano continued to praise – had tried to advise her. 'He was telling me, 'Just put #transrights in your feed. Do it and they'll leave you alone,'' Carano said. He may well have been right. Yet few would have been convinced that Carano was doing it except under severe duress. However, now that she has fought and won on her point of principle, she can claim vindication. As she incredulously said to the Hollywood Reporter, 'Boop/bop/beep? Seriously? This was the start of the end for me? A 20-year career, the blood, sweat and tears of fighting?'
Disney in Trump's America
It is a mark of how swiftly, and how much, things have changed since Trump's re-election last year that the issue of pronouns – whatever they are – in a social media bio now seems ridiculous rather than somehow crucial. Yet the 'journey' that Disney has been on over the past decade or so is a fascinating one. Bob Iger, the company's chief executive – who, when he was asked by the Hollywood Reporter last year if he had any comment on Carano's lawsuit, simply replied 'None' – is nobody's fool.
As soon as Trump returned to office, Iger began building bridges with the White House and the wider Republican party. In 2024, he instructed the Disney-owned ABC News to donate $15m to Trump's presidential library and to make an on-air apology after the president began a lawsuit when the show's anchor, George Stephanopoulos, incorrectly said Trump had been found 'liable for rape'. Iger will be treading extremely carefully over the coming months to attempt to keep the most powerful man in the world on side.
It also represents something of a surprise that Carano would ever consider working for, or with, Disney again. Last year, she blasted the company after it attempted to throw out the lawsuit, by saying on X: 'Disney has confirmed what has been known all along, they will fire you if you say anything they disagree with, even if they have to MISREPRESENT, MALIGN, and MISCHARACTERIZE you to do it … If you ever wanted to know what today's 'Disney values' are, they just told you.'
Predictably, the settlement has enraged the Left. One X user contemptuously wrote that 'Yes, Gina Carano is a conservative crank who hates trans people and thinks the 2020 election was stolen, but she is also the single worst actor I have ever seen in my life.' But that is an increasingly marginal view; for many Star Wars fans, the universe suddenly seems like a more welcoming place.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs documentary series 'The Kingdom' releases tonight on ESPN
ESPN, Disney+, and Skydance Sports' The Kingdom, an ESPN Original Series on the Kansas City Chiefs, debuts tonight. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid recently revealed their thoughts on last season's filming process. "I have seen parts for sure. It's a great documentary. Obviously, the season is part of it, but it's great to see the history of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I saw stuff that I didn't even know. I thought I knew everything about the Kansas City Chiefs." said Mahomes during his training camp press conference, "So, the Hunt family, the Kansas City Chiefs (and) Disney, they all did it the right way and for them to let me be a part of it in some way and some form it was really cool for me. I got to do that after the season, so now we're back to football, but it is cool to see stuff like that done because I have loved documentaries my whole entire life, and so seeing how the bread is buttered is really cool." The highly anticipated six-episode docuseries on the Chiefs will explore the franchise's indelible and distinctive place in the NFL's landscape, spanning more than six decades of history, while offering an exclusive and revealing chronicle of the team's 2024 season. "Well, our owner asked me to do it (laughter). So, I mean, it's not really my deal, but that's, you know, he's my boss. And so, I jumped in on it. So, if I'm going in, I'm going in. I'm going to go all in," said Reid. "I thought the people handled it well. I thought they did a really good job of not being a distraction. I worry about that, and one reason I don't like doing those things. I thought they really handled themselves well, where I didn't have to tell people to get back, get out of here. That's not what it was. So, my hat goes off to them for handling it that way." All six series episodes will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+. The first two episodes will air tonight on ESPN at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT.
National Geographic
an hour ago
- National Geographic
Buddhist monks have a secret to reduce suffering — even when you're in pain
Young Buddhist monks use muscles as well as meditation during their stay at the Dongzhulin Monastery in the mountainous northwest of Yunnan, China. Photograph by Gilles Sabrie, Nat Geo Image Collection Much of the global population suffers from chronic pain. Here's what we can learn from Buddhism about how to manage it. Is it possible to feel physical pain without suffering? For thousands of years, that question has fueled Buddhist mindfulness practices that combat pain relief by embracing the inevitability of suffering. Today, an estimated 10 percent of the global population suffers from chronic pain, and the U.S. spends more on combating chronic pain than diabetes and cancer combined. Actor Chris Hemsworth is no stranger to physical suffering, as he's struggled with chronic back pain for much of his life. In episode three of Limitless: Live Better Now (streaming on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 15 and on National Geographic starting August 25), the 41-year-old travels to South Korea, where people treat pain with both ancient wisdom and modern science. There, he searches for tools to help him live with chronic pain—or transcend it. (How walking can prevent lower back pain.) Befriending pain 'Discerning pain from suffering is at the heart of Buddhism,' says palliative care physician and pain expert BJ Miller , who's featured in the show. '[It's] a time-tested way to unburden yourself and live with what you can't control.' Buddhism—a belief system followed by approximately 4.1 percent of the world's population and about 17 percent of South Korean adults—teaches that suffering and desire are part of the human condition. That might seem like bad news for people experiencing the physical and emotional turmoil of pain, but Buddhism emphasizes a path out. To attain liberation from pain, practitioners must learn not only to accept it, but to also realize its impermanence. This is something deeply familiar to Jeong Yeo, a Buddhist monk of 50 years who rose to become Grand Patriarch of the Beomeosa Temple in South Korea in 2023. He uses a mix of storytelling, science, and psychology in his teachings. 'In Buddhism, we do not try to avoid or remove suffering,' he explains. 'Instead, we try to see suffering as it truly is.' All branches of Buddhism involve examining suffering; the Buddha himself is quoted saying that suffering and its end were all he taught. But Buddhists' approach to suffering varies. Seon Buddhism, a branch of the religion followed in Korea, is similar to Zen, and involves meditation, bowing, contemplation, study, and other practices. 'In Korean Buddhism, the solution to suffering is not simply healing or peace, but to delve into the core of existence,' says Yeo. By diving into suffering instead of trying to fend it off, he says, one can begin to realize that pain is a thought just like any other. 'The fundamental mind does not know pain or suffering,' he explains. Instead, a human's attachment to their own thoughts generates the concept of pain and suffering. (How you can change your body's threshold for pain.) Yeo learned this the hard way when he once suffered a head injury while laboring at a temple. Reeling from a long fall and a bleeding head, he managed to move his focus from the aching pain to his mind. Beneath the pain, he says, he found a part of himself that was unworried about his suffering. 'When I reflected on my mind, I observed that [it] did not waver from the injury and it was serene and peaceful,' he recalls. 'I realized that no matter the circumstances, the mind is always peaceful and unmoving, clear and quiet. This is the difference between pain and suffering.' Not only are Buddhist practices associated with pain relief for some followers, but they are even considered powerful enough to help some come to terms with disability and death. That doesn't surprise Miller, who took Hemsworth to the Beomeosa Temple to immerse him in sometimes painful activities like prostration meditation, which involves folding the body into a reverent bow over 100 times in one session. Miller compares pain to an unwelcome houseguest. 'If he won't leave, then you might as well invite him to have a seat and figure out some way to get along.' The science of Buddhism The perceived ability of Buddhist practitioners to rise above pain has long intrigued scientists, especially as the religion's tenets have spread in the West. 'There's much to be said for going into the feeling of pain,' says Miller. 'And no doubt it has things to teach us.' So do other, less painful forms of mindfulness—and research suggests it may not take long to see results. In one 2014 study, researchers used meditation as an intervention for people with migraine pain. Participants took a 20-minute guided meditation class based on the Buddhist concept of 'loving kindness,' which involves cultivating compassion toward the self and others. Afterwards, these migraine sufferers reported 33 percent less pain and 43 percent less tension, leading researchers to conclude that meditation may be 'an effective, quick, and portable means of reducing pain and emotional tension.' (Why synthetic pot could be the future of pain relief.) There are plenty of theories regarding the physical benefits of mindfulness. Potential advantages include a stronger immune system, better sleep, even a reduction in suicidal or other intrusive thoughts. Despite researchers trying to understand the science of meditation and other Buddhist practices for decades, their findings vary wildly. Some studies suggest that advanced meditation techniques that de-emphasize a person's inner narrative are more effective for pain relief than those focusing on a single thought or object. Others have found physical differences in long-time practitioners. A 2024 review of 21 brain studies found that meditation 'causes structural and functional changes in large-scale brain networks.' Another study asked 13 Zen meditators and 13 non-meditators to undergo fMRI scans while experiencing moderate pain. Compared to their counterparts, the meditators' brains showed less activity in brain regions linked to emotion. Those who didn't meditate showed more activation in brain regions associated with pain, leading researchers to conclude that meditation may help decrease sensitivity to pain. Befriending the mind—and even the pain—might solve suffering. But that doesn't mean the pain itself isn't real. Instead, Buddhist practices like meditation can help turn down the volume on pain signals or even distract an individual from painful experiences for a bit. Getting started is as simple as taking a breath, Yeo says. 'Try to feel your breathing in short moments during [your] commute to work, or simply observe yourself when you feel stressed or angry and accept the emotions as they are.' He emphasizes that these practices are accessible to everyone. 'The teachings of Buddhism are not limited to specific cultures,' he says, advising others to practice speaking gently to themselves. 'Do not avoid suffering. Observe it with indifference and wrap it with compassion. Try to end the day telling [yourself] 'Today was hard. Are you okay? You did a great job.' Simply telling oneself this is Buddhist practice in compassion.' After all, says Miller, pain is just one aspect of existence. 'There's so much besides pain that is worthy of your attention.' "Limitless: Live Better Now" is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 15 and on National Geographic starting August 25. Check local listings.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Naver's Webtoon Arm Jumps 81% On Disney Deal To Bring Marvel And Star Wars To Digital Comics
Fans wait in line to meet Webtoon Entertainment creators during the company's Nasdaq IPO in New York, US, on June 27, 2024. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg Shares of Webtoon Entertainment, the digital comics company controlled by South Korean internet giant Naver, on Wednesday surged 81% in its biggest one-day gain since its Nasdaq debut last year after announcing a partnership with Walt Disney. Webtoon Entertainment, which popularized the vertically scrolling digital comics designed for mobile, said it will publish about 100 reformatted comics from the U.S. entertainment behemoth's properties on its English-language app. These properties include Disney, Marvel, 20th Century Studios and Star Wars, with the initial launches including comics from Spider-Man and the Avengers. The partnership also involves the two companies producing original webcomics, according to Webtoon Entertainment. 'We're thrilled to kick off this collaboration with iconic series from their comic book catalog – and this is just the start,' said Kim Yongsoo, chief strategy officer and head of global at Webtoon Entertainment, in a statement. 'Together, we're bringing this legendary storytelling to a new generation of mobile-native comic fans, while giving existing fans a new way to experience series and characters they love.' Webtoon Entertainment's shares closed at $16.96 on Wednesday, though it's still below its initial public offering price of $21. The Los Angeles-based company went public on the Nasdaq in a $315 million IPO in June last year. Its stock price has since then tumbled due to previous disappointing earnings. Webtoon Entertainment's roots date back to 2005, when Naver launched a platform for serialized digital comics in a vertical-scroll format, known as webtoons. Following the launch of a mobile app version in the 2010s, webtoons' popularity grew as smartphones became widely adopted. Their prominence rose further during the pandemic, with the global success of K-pop and K-dramas helping the digital comics expand beyond Korea. In the quarter ended June, Webtoon Entertainment had 156 million global monthly active users, with 71% of them consuming online comics in languages other than Korean and Japanese. The company posted an 8.5% rise in revenue to $348 million in the three months ended June, with 51% of sales coming from Japan, followed by Korea and then the rest of the world. Its net loss narrowed by 95% to $3.9 million during the same period. Webtoon Entertainment attributed the financial growth to an increased revenue from paid content, advertising and intellectual property adaptations. Korean webtoon companies, however, are facing challenges from declining reader engagement and piracy. To make up for the loss, Webtoon Entertainment said it's launching a short-form video platform that turns webtoons into bite-sized clips. Meanwhile, Kakao, a Naver rival, has also rolled out a platform that uses AI to generate short-form videos based on webtoons. Over the past year, Kakao's webtoon business has withdrawn from markets including mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Europe. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Naver-Backed Motion Capture Startup Movin Expands Into AI Training Datasets For Humanoid Robots By John Kang Forbes Former Naver Research Scientist Launches AI Startup, Aims To Be The OpenAI Of Korea By John Kang Forbes Billionaire Jean Salata's EQT Asia To Invest In Korean LinkedIn Rival By Zinnia Lee
