Gina Carano, the former star of The Mandalorian, has filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm for discrimination and wrongful termination. The lawsuit marks a new chapter in the ongoing battle for influence over Hollywood, which has drawn in corporate America. Carano alleges that she was fired from the hit series for expressing right-wing opinions on social media and is seeking a court order that would force Lucasfilm to recast her role.
Supporting Carano in her legal battle is Elon Musk, who had previously promised to fund the legal bills of users who claim they have faced discrimination due to their activity on his platform, X. X’s head of business operations, Joe Benarroch, stated, “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.”
The controversy surrounding Carano began when she shared a post on social media that compared the treatment of Jews during the Holocaust to the current political climate. This post, along with several others expressing right-wing views on various issues, drew criticism from social media users. Carano was subsequently dropped by her talent agency, UTA. In response to the backlash, Carano stated, “My words were consistently twisted to demonize & dehumanize me as an alt right wing extremist.”
According to Carano’s complaint, Disney and Lucasfilm harassed and defamed her for refusing to conform to their viewpoints on issues such as Black Lives Matter, preferred pronouns, and claims of election interference. She argues that while she was fired for her cultural and religious beliefs, her male co-stars were allowed to make offensive and denigrating posts directed towards Republicans. Carano points to Pedro Pascal’s 2017 post comparing former President Donald Trump to Hitler as an example.
The lawsuit also alleges that Disney required Carano to meet with representatives of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination and demanded a public apology. When she refused, Carano claims she was told to meet with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and 45 employees who identify as LGBTQ+. She declined the meeting and was subsequently terminated from The Mandalorian and other Star Wars titles.
Carano further accuses Disney of engaging in a “post-termination smear campaign” by removing an episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls in which she appeared from the show’s scheduled lineup. Although the episode eventually aired, Disney allegedly omitted any mention of Carano’s name and likeness in promotional materials. The lawsuit argues that Disney’s termination of Carano led to her talent agency, UTA, and her transactional lawyer dropping her as a client.
Carano’s lawsuit brings claims for wrongful discharge and sex discrimination. She is seeking a court order that would force Lucasfilm to recast her role and at least $75,000 in damages, plus punitive damages. In a statement, Carano expressed her gratitude for the support from X, stating, “I am honored that my case has been chosen to be supported by the company that has been one of the last glimmers of hope for free speech in the world.”
The lawsuit comes at a time when at-will employees, who make up the majority of private sector workers, face challenges in obtaining damages for terminations over offensive online posts. Unlike public sector employees, private sector workers are not protected by the First Amendment. Elon Musk’s offer to fund legal action for users on X who claim discrimination by their employers over their platform activity reflects a growing concern over corporate influence on free speech.
The involvement of Musk and the escalating battle between Carano and Disney/Lucasfilm highlights the increasing influence of corporate America in Hollywood. It also raises questions about the limits of free speech in the workplace and the power dynamics within the entertainment industry. As the lawsuit unfolds, it will undoubtedly have implications for the future of Hollywood and the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of expression.