Former Star Wars actress Gina Carano has launched a legal battle against Disney and Lucasfilm, claiming she was wrongfully terminated from The Mandalorian due to her controversial social media posts.
Carano, who played Cara Dune in the hit Disney+ series, alleges that her firing in 2021 was an act of discrimination and seeks damages through a lawsuit filed in a California federal court. The case is being financially backed by X Corp, the parent company of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Background of the Controversy
Carano was dismissed from The Mandalorian after facing backlash for posts comparing the treatment of conservatives in the US to that of Jewish people during Nazi Germany. Disney stated at the time that her social media remarks were "abhorrent and unacceptable."
However, Carano argues that male co-stars, including Pedro Pascal, made similar political statements without facing repercussions. Her legal team claims this constitutes gender discrimination under California law.
Legal Arguments and Potential Impact
The lawsuit alleges that Disney and Lucasfilm violated California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act by punishing Carano for expressing her political views while tolerating those of her male colleagues.
Legal experts suggest the case could set a precedent for how entertainment companies handle employees’ off-screen conduct, particularly in the era of heightened political polarization.
Disney and Lucasfilm have yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit.
