Actress Gina Carano files lawsuit against Disney for firing her from ‘The Mandalorian’, with support from financial backers

Former MMA fighter Gina Carano, the former star of “The Mandalorian,” has launched a lawsuit Tuesday against Disney and Lucasfilm, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination.

This legal battle intensifies the ongoing dispute surrounding her dismissal from the popular series. It underscores broader tensions within Hollywood, drawing significant attention from corporate America, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Carano’s complaint, filed in a California federal court on Tuesday, asserts that her dismissal stemmed from expressing conservative viewpoints on social media.

The lawsuit is backed by funding from X. CEO Elon Musk honored his pledge to support individuals who claim discrimination due to their online free speech activity on the platform. She seeks legal recourse to compel Lucasfilm to recast her and for damages.

Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, emphasized the corporation’s dedication to free speech, stating, “We’re proud to provide financial support for Gina Carano’s lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights.”

The controversy erupted in 2021 when Lucasfilm announced Carano’s departure from “The Mandalorian” following a social media post. In the post, Carano drew parallels between contemporary political discourse and historical events, sparking widespread backlash. Her pattern of expressing conservative stances on various issues, including COVID-19 mandates and election integrity, had previously triggered controversy and led to her parting ways with talent agency UTA.

Responding to criticisms, Carano clarified her intentions, stating, “My words were consistently twisted to demonize & dehumanize me as an alt-right wing extremist.”

According to the lawsuit, Disney and Lucasfilm subjected Carano to harassment and defamation for her refusal to conform to their ideological positions, particularly on social justice and political matters. Carano alleges disparate treatment, citing examples of offensive social media posts by male co-stars, including Pedro Pascal’s 2017 tweet comparing Donald Trump to Hitler.

The complaint further alleges coercive actions by Disney, including demands for a public apology and meetings with representatives from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Carano claims she faced pressure to admit to derogatory statements, which she denies making. She refused to comply with these demands, leading to her termination from “The Mandalorian” and other Star Wars projects.