Gina Carano Sues Over ‘The Mandalorian’ Firing in Elon Musk-Backed Lawsuit

Former mixed martial arts fighter Gina Carano
is suing Disney and Lucasfilm over her firing from the “Star
Wars” spin-off series “The Mandalorian.”

Back in 2021, Disney abruptly announced that Carano, who played
Cara Dune on “The Mandalorian,” would not be appearing on the third
season of the show as she was fired over “abhorrent” comments made
on Twitter, now known as X, and other social media outlets.

However, a lot has changed since Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter
and his subsequent promise to pay the legal fees of anyone who
faced discrimination for voicing their political views on his
platform. Carano has now filed a lawsuit against Disney and
Lucasfilm, alleging discrimination and wrongful firing for voicing
right-wing opinions.

Carano also claims to have faced harassment on social media over
her views on Black Lives Matter, gender pronouns and regulations
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The former Strikeforce
title challenger further accused the production house of singling
her out and ignoring male co-stars who regularly voiced their
opinions. Carano not only wants to be reinstated in her role on
“The Mandalorian” but is also seeking $75,000 and punitive
damages.

“Some of us have been unjustly singled out, harassed, persecuted
and had our livelihoods stripped away because we dared to encourage
conversation, asked questions, and refused to go along with the
mob,” Carano told the The Hollywood Reporter. “I am
honored that my case has been chosen to be supported by the company
[X] that has been one of the last glimmers of hope for free speech
in the world.”

“A couple months ago Elon Musk tweeted that if you had been fired
from using the platform (X) for exercising your right to free
speech, he would like to offer these people legal representation.
Quite the noble offer, but never in my wildest dreams would I have
thought anyone would take on my case against Lucasfilm/Disney.
Still, I did respond back ‘I think I qualify’ and thousands of
people agreed—but I did not expect anything.”

“To my surprise, a few months ago I received an email from a lawyer
who had been hired by X to look into my story and many others.
Turns out after sending them as much information as I could gather
these past few months, my now lawyers and X believe whole-heartedly
in my case and are moving forward. I would like to express my
deepest gratitude and thank you to Elon Musk and X for giving me an
opportunity to bring my case to light.”

Joe Benarroch, head of business operations for X, told The
Hollywood Reporter:

“As a sign of X Corp’s commitment to free speech, we’re proud to
provide financial support for Gina Carano’s lawsuit, empowering her
to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability
to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination.”