Actress Gina Carano is taking a stand against Disney and Lucasfilm, as she files a lawsuit against the companies for alleged discrimination and wrongful termination. Carano, known for her role as Cara Dune in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, claims that she was let go due to her political views and for sharing them openly.
The lawsuit, funded by entrepreneur Elon Musk, aims to support individuals who face discrimination for their posts on social media platforms. Carano's legal action comes after her dismissal from The Mandalorian and subsequent termination by the UTA Agency for posting controversial Instagram Stories. These posts included comparisons between modern-day Republicans and Jewish people in the Holocaust, criticism of government mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, and claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Carano's legal complaint states that Disney had requested an apology from her and urged her to meet with a representative from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination. However, Carano refused to comply with these requests. Consequently, she alleges that she was let go from the Star Wars franchise after declining a meeting with Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, and 45 company employees who identify as LGBTQ+.
According to Carano, Disney subsequently engaged in a 'post-termination smear campaign' against her, which included excluding her from marketing material for an episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls. Carano claims that she faced discrimination based on her religious beliefs and her opinions on topics such as preferred pronouns and the Black Lives Matter movement. She argues that double standards were applied, pointing out that her Mandalorian co-star, Pedro Pascal, allegedly faced no consequences for a tweet comparing former president Donald Trump to Hitler.
In her lawsuit, Carano is seeking $75,000 in damages, additional compensation, and a court order for Lucasfilm to recast her character, Cara Dune. Despite reaching out to Disney and Lucasfilm for comment, no response has been provided thus far.
Carano took to social media to address the lawsuit, expressing her gratitude towards Elon Musk and X for supporting her case. She also thanked her supporters who have stood by her throughout this ordeal. In a statement, X's head of business operations, Joe Benarroch, emphasized their commitment to finance Carano's lawsuit, supporting her right to free speech and advocating for an inclusive work environment free from bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
As this legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how Disney and Lucasfilm will respond to Carano's allegations. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for discussions surrounding free speech, workplace discrimination, and the influence of social media on the entertainment industry.
