Ex-Star Wars Gina Carano, the actress, has settled her wrongful termination lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm following her dismissal from The Mandalorian in 2021 due to her views expressed on social media activity. The agreement concludes a legal battle that touched on issues of free speech, online conduct, and Hollywood’s role in the United States’ ongoing cultural and political debates.
In a statement released Thursday, a Lucasfilm spokesperson confirmed that the companies had “reached an agreement with Gina Carano to resolve the issues in her pending lawsuit” and expressed interest in potential future collaborations. “Ms. Carano was always well respected by her directors, co-stars, and staff, and she worked hard to perfect her craft while treating her colleagues with kindness and respect,” the statement said.
Carano, a former mixed martial arts fighter turned actor, played the character Cara Dune in the first two seasons of The Mandalorian. Her dismissal in February 2021 came after a series of posts on her social media accounts, including one that appeared to compare being a conservative in the United States to being Jewish during the Holocaust. Another post mocked mask wear during the COVID-19 pandemic, and members of the transgender community criticised earlier comments about gender pronouns.
At the time, Lucasfilm called the posts “abhorrent and unacceptable,” accusing Carano of “denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities.”
Carano alleged in her 2024 lawsuit, which was filed in California and financially backed by Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter), that her firing resulted from political bias and discrimination. Her legal team claimed she was targeted for holding conservative views and that two male co-stars had made similar online comments without facing disciplinary action. She sought $75,000 in damages and reinstatement to the franchise, including a return to a planned spin-off series, “Rangers of the New Republic,” which she said would have paid between $150,000 and $250,000 per episode.
The lawsuit also charged Disney and Lucasfilm with defamation, claiming that her opinions on issues like Black Lives Matter demonstrations, COVID-19 restrictions, election integrity, and gender identity were distorted to harm her reputation. The actress stated that the public backlash had a considerable impact on her career, making it very challenging to obtain further acting roles.
The entertainment industry’s handling of political speech became a focal point due to her lawsuit. The case drew attention partly because of Musk’s pledge to fund legal action for individuals who claimed to have been punished for exercising free speech on X. Despite never having met Musk, Carano called him a “Good Samaritan” for his unselfish support of her case.
While the settlement terms were not disclosed, Carano acknowledged the resolution in a post on X, writing, “I hope this brings some healing to the force.” She also shared a message of thanks to Musk and the platform for their financial support, adding, “the truth shall set you free.”
Carano’s firing and lawsuit occurred during a period in which Disney has found itself at the center of the United States’ so-called “culture wars.” In March, under the Trump administration, US regulators announced an investigation into Disney’s diversity and inclusion policies. Carano has also publicly supported Donald Trump, appearing at a campaign rally in Las Vegas in 2024.
The settlement does not necessarily mark the end of Carano’s association with Lucasfilm. In its statement, the company indicated a willingness to explore future projects with the actor, though no specifics were announced. However, whether Carano would return to the franchise or move on to pursue other projects is not yet clear.
