Gina Carano Wins Free Speech Battle: Disney Settles with 'The Mandalorian' Star

Gina Carano's Bitter Feud with Disney Comes to a Head: Actress Receives Six-Figure Settlement After Being Fired from The Mandalorian

It's finally over for Gina Carano and her very public feud with Disney! The actress, who was canned from the hit series The Mandalorian in 2021 after comparing Jews in the Holocaust to American conservatives on Instagram, has reached a settlement with the company. And let's just say it's been a wild ride.

Carano, 43, confirmed the news herself on her X account (formerly Twitter), stating that she had come to an agreement with Disney/Lucasfilm, which she believes is "the best outcome for all parties involved." She even threw in a clever Star Wars reference, saying, "I hope this brings some healing to the force."

But what's behind this sudden about-face? Sources close to the matter say that Carano was able to secure a significant settlement thanks in large part to her high-profile ally, billionaire Elon Musk. The tech mogul funded her lawsuit against Lucasfilm last year, and it paid off big time.

The drama began in early 2021 when Carano posted on Instagram, "Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors even by children." She went on to compare this to the current state of American politics, writing, "How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?" The post sparked outrage, and Carano was subsequently fired from the show.

But here's the thing: Carano wasn't just fired - she was also dropped by her agency, UTA. And it seemed like the entertainment industry had turned its back on her. Or so we thought.

As it turns out, Carano was just getting started. She sued Lucasfilm in a federal court in California, seeking punitive damages of $75,000 and demanding to be reinstated as Cara Dune on The Mandalorian. Disney's lawyers responded by citing the First Amendment, claiming that the company has a constitutional right not to associate with Carano's views.

But Carano was having none of it. In a scathing tweet, she accused Disney of "MISREPRESENT[ing], MALIGN[ing], and MISCHARACTERIZING" her in an attempt to silence her. And let's just say it got personal: "Disney has confirmed what has been known all along," Carano wrote. "They will fire you if you say anything they disagree with, even if they have to control what you think or destroy your career."

It seems that Disney finally realized the error of its ways and decided to settle - but not before a lot of mud was thrown.

In a statement to The Scholarly Note, Lucasfilm officials said, "The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Gina Carano to resolve the issues in her pending lawsuit against the companies. We look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future."

But what does this mean for the future of The Mandalorian? And will Carano ever return as Cara Dune? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: Gina Carano is not going down without a fight.

Timeline of Events:

• February 2021: Carano posts on Instagram comparing Jews in the Holocaust to American conservatives.
• Early 2021: Carano is fired from The Mandalorian and dropped by her agency, UTA.
• Last year: Carano sues Lucasfilm in federal court in California, seeking punitive damages and reinstatement as Cara Dune on The Mandalorian.
• April 2024: Disney's lawyers seek to dismiss the lawsuit, citing the First Amendment.
• July 2024: The court rejects Disney's request, leading Carano to declare she was "moved to tears" by the shifting momentum.
• This month: Carano confirms that she has reached a settlement with Disney/Lucasfilm.

Stay tuned for more updates on this saga!