Gina Carano and Disney’s long-standing feud has seemingly come to an end as the studio has decided to settle the lawsuit with the actress. In February 2024, Carano filed a lawsuit against Lucasfilm following the company’s decision to fire her in 2021 from The Mandalorian after the actress made a controversial series of posts on social media spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic and false information about the validity of the 2020 election. Carano alleged wrongful termination and sexism in Lucasfilm’s decision to remove her from her role as Cara Dune in The Mandalorian, saying she was fired for expressing her conservative beliefs, which was not something her male co-stars had to worry about for expressing liberal beliefs. Even though Disney looked to have the case dismissed, its efforts were denied. According to The Hollywood Reporter, both Lucasfilm and Gina Carano have come to an agreement, though the terms of the agreement have not yet been made public. Disney released a statement regarding the settlement saying:
“With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future. We have reached an agreement with Gina Carano to resolve the issues in her pending lawsuit against the companies. 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.”

Gina Carono Thanked Elon Musk in Her Statement

Disney+

Carano released her own memo, particularly thanking Elon Musk, who personally paid for her legal funds since the post was made through the social media platform X (and Musk himself has been known to try to court favor with conservative and anti-woke crowds). Carano’s statement reads:
I have come to an agreement with Disney/Lucasfilm which I believe is the best outcome for all parties involved. I hope this brings some healing to the force.
I want to extend my deepest most heartfelt gratitude to Elon Musk, a man I’ve never met, who did this Good Samaritan deed for me in funding my lawsuit. Thank you Mr. Musk and X for backing my case and asking for nothing in return.
To my lawyers at Schaerr|Jaffe who walked me through this unknown territory, thank you for your wisdom and guidance.
I am humbled and grateful to God for His love and grace in this outcome.
I’d like to thank you all for your unrelenting support throughout my life and career, you’ve been the heartbeat that has kept my story alive. I hope to make you proud. 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.
Yes, I’m smiling.
Carano was first introduced in the first season of The Mandalorian as Cara Dune, a former Rebel shock trooper who becomes an ally to the lead character, Din Djarrin. Cara Dune was set to be the lead in the spin-off series Rangers of the New Republic, with those seeds being planted in The Mandalorian Season 2. However, Carano’s controversial tweets, particularly those mocking the use of pronouns and comparing Republicans to being Jewish during the Holocaust, led to Disney and Lucasfilm severing ties with her. She tweeted herself out of a job, and The Mandalorian Season 3 sidesteps the issue by saying Cara Dune is off-planet. The news of the settlement with Gina Carano is likely going to divide many, with her future return to Star Wars certainly doubtful. The statement by Disney notably says, “We look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.” This seems like a polite, lawful way of saying they won’t refuse Gina Carano, but also aren’t going to go out of their way to bring her back. Even with the lawsuit settled, don’t expect to see Carano appearing in The Mandalorian & Grogu, or other Star Wars-related series like Ahsoka. Carano’s career took a hit after The Mandalorian firing. The only films she could get were Daily Wire-sponsored films like Terror on the Prairie or the Breitbart News-sponsored My Son Hunter, both released in 2022. Since then, Carano has had no credited on-screen appearances on film or television. The settlement is certainly a win for her, but it might be a shallow victory if it doesn’t lead to any major projects and if Star Wars keeps moving on as if nothing happened.

The Mandalorian

Release Date

November 12, 2019

Network

Disney+

Directors

Rick Famuyiwa, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dave Filoni, Carl Weathers, Peyton Reed, Deborah Chow, Jon Favreau, Peter Ramsey, Robert Rodriguez, Taika Waititi, Lee Isaac Chung