Gina Carano, the actress known for her role as Cara Dune in the hit series “The Mandalorian,” has filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm, with support from Elon Musk, following her termination in 2021 over a controversial social media post. In the post, Carano drew parallels between being a Republican today and the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust.
Carano, who is seeking $75,000 in damages, alleges wrongful termination and retaliation against her. The lawsuit, funded by Elon Musk, calls for Lucasfilm to recast her role. Representatives for Disney and Lucasfilm have not yet commented on the matter.
The dispute stems from a February 2021 Instagram post where Carano compared the treatment of Republicans to the persecution of Jews by the Nazis. This post led to her dismissal from Lucasfilm and her talent agency, UTA. Lucasfilm cited her social media posts as “abhorrent and unacceptable.”
In her lawsuit, Carano claims she was targeted for expressing her own opinions and resisting pressure to conform to a particular ideology. She alleges gender discrimination, noting that two male co-stars faced no repercussions for similar posts maligning Republicans.
The civil suit, filed in California federal court, invokes Star Wars references to frame the narrative of alleged discrimination and wrongful termination. Carano asserts that she faced hostility for refusing to comply with what she perceives as an extreme progressive agenda.
On X, Carano issued a statement detailing her experience as a victim of a “bullying smear campaign” aimed at silencing her. She emphasized that artists do not forfeit their rights as citizens when entering employment. Elon Musk, showing support for Carano, invited others to join the lawsuit against Disney.
Musk, who has pledged support to individuals facing discrimination for their X posts, stands by Carano’s lawsuit as a commitment to free speech. His company expresses pride in backing Carano’s legal action.
The lawsuit underscores the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of speech, ideological diversity, and accountability in the entertainment industry. Carano’s case, supported by Musk’s advocacy for free expression, highlights the complexities of navigating social media and political discourse in the public eye.