Gina Carano, once one of the breakout stars of 'The Mandalorian', was unceremoniously dropped from the Disney-owned Star Wars franchise in February 2021 following a string of highly controversial social media posts. But four years later, she's walked away with a secret legal settlement — and perhaps, a foot back in the galaxy far, far away.
Carano's dismissal stemmed from an Instagram post in which she likened the treatment of conservatives in the US to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust.
Carano wrote: 'Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbours... even by children... Because history is edited, most people today don't realise that to get to the point where Nazi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their neighbours hate them simply for being Jews. How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?'
The backlash was swift and intense, with Lucas issuing a sharp rebuke. 'Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm, and there are no plans for her to be in the future. Nevertheless, her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.'
This wasn't Carano's first brush with controversy. She had previously mocked mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 US election, and responded to calls for pronoun inclusion by adding 'beep/bop/boop' to her Twitter bio.
Legal Battle Begins
In February 2024, Carano filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm in California federal court, alleging wrongful termination, sex discrimination, and political bias. She demanded reinstatement in The Mandalorian and sought at least $75,000 in damages.
Backing her legal challenge was Elon Musk, who had pledged to support individuals fired for expressing views on his platform, X. Musk funded Carano's legal fees, with Carano publicly thanking him:
"I want to extend my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to Elon Musk, a man I've never met, who did this Good Samaritan deed for me in funding my lawsuit.'
'Thank you, Mr. Musk and @X, for backing my case and asking for nothing in return.'
Disney responded with a motion to dismiss, arguing its First Amendment rights allowed it to choose who represents its artistic vision. The company stated it had 'a constitutional right not to associate its artistic expression with Carano's speech'.
Settlement Reached — With Hints of Reconciliation
On 7 August 2025, both parties announced that the lawsuit had been settled. While the financial terms remain undisclosed, the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.
Lucasfilm's tone shifted dramatically in its post-settlement statement:
'Ms. Carano was always well respected by her directors, co-stars, and staff, and she worked hard to perfect her craft while treating her colleagues with kindness and respect.'
'With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano shortly.'
Carano echoed the sentiment, calling the resolution 'the best outcome for all parties involved' and expressing hope for 'healing to the force.'
While Carano initially sought $75,000 (£60,000) in damages, the final settlement amount has not been publicly disclosed.
Could Cara Dune Return?
Despite the prior acrimony, Disney's softened stance has led to speculation about Carano's potential return to the Star Wars universe. She was initially slated to lead the 'Rangers of the New Republic' spin-off before her dismissal. While no projects have been confirmed, the door appears to be ajar.
As Carano herself put it: 'I am excited to flip the page and move onto the next chapter. My desires remain in the arts, which is where I hope you will join me.'
