Disney, Lucasfilm settle lawsuit with Gina Carano over 'Mandalorian' firing
Carano, who starred as bounty hunter Cara Dune in the Star Wars-themed Disney+ series, revealed in an Aug. 7 X post that she reached a deal with The Walt Disney Company and production company Lucasfilm in her lawsuit against the companies over her termination from the sci-fi show.
Disney fired Carano, 43, for "abhorrent and unacceptable" language after the actress drew online controversy for sharing social media posts that mocked transgender rights, criticized COVID-19 vaccine mandates and mask wearers, questioned the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and likened the treatment of conservatives to Jews in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.
Carano filed a lawsuit in February 2024, claiming she was fired because she went against an "online bully mob who demanded her compliance with their extreme progressive ideology," The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter reported at the time.
Carano filed a joint motion with Disney and Lucasfilm on Aug. 7 to dismiss her lawsuit with prejudice, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and obtained by USA TODAY. Carano, who now won't be able to refile the case, called the legal resolution "the best outcome for all parties involved," adding, "I hope this brings some healing to the force."
Carano concluded: "I am excited to flip the page and move onto the next chapter. My desires remain in the arts, which is where I hope you will join me. ♥️"
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company for comment.
'Disney had enough': Disney fires back at Gina Carano over 'Mandalorian' firing lawsuit
Lucasfilm teases Gina Carano collaborations in 'near future' after resolving lawsuit
In response to Carano's lawsuit, Disney filed a motion to dismiss the wrongful termination complaint in California court in April 2024, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY at the time.
The company claimed in its motion that it "has a constitutional right not to associate its artistic expression with Carano's speech, such that the First Amendment provides a complete defense to Carano's claims."
"As Carano's own fame rose with her character's, Carano began engaging with show fans and the public in a manner that, in Disney's view, came to distract from and undermine Disney's own expressive efforts," the company added.
Lucasfilm addressed its settlement with Carano and the future of their professional relationship with the controversial actress in an Aug. 7 statement to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
"Ms. Carano was always well respected by her directors, costars, and staff, and she worked hard to perfect her craft while treating her colleagues with kindness and respect," a Lucasfilm spokesperson told the outlets. "With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future."
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
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