Lawsuit Against Disney Moves To Trial

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up because this legal showdown is shaping up to be a blockbuster in its own right. Former The Mandalorian actress Gina Carano is gearing up for a high-profile court battle against Disney, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

With a lineup of potential witnesses that includes some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, like Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, this case is set to attract a lot of attention.

So, what’s the deal? Carano is suing Disney for wrongful termination, claiming that she was unfairly fired from her role as Cara Dune on The Mandalorian due to her political views. If you remember, Carano made headlines back in 2021 for a series of controversial social media posts that included her opinions on pandemic-related policies, the 2020 Presidential election, and her comparison of political criticism to the Holocaust. Disney, in response, cut ties with her, stating that her actions were not in line with the company’s values.

Now, Carano is fighting back, arguing that her firing was a violation of her rights under California labor laws that protect employees from being punished for their political beliefs. Her legal team has filed a list of witnesses they might call to testify, and it’s a who’s who of Hollywood power players, including some of her former colleagues like The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau and co-star Pedro Pascal.

But that’s not all—Carano’s legal team is also seeking a treasure trove of documents from Disney as part of the trial’s discovery process.

These include communications about Carano’s firing, contracts, and even social media policies. The documents could reveal some of Disney’s internal discussions and decisions, which might not only be crucial to the case but could also become a PR headache for the company.

On the other side, Disney is holding firm, defending its decision to cut ties with Carano. They argue that as a company, they have the right to distance themselves from actors whose views don’t align with their brand’s image, especially when those views become a distraction. They’re also leaning on the First Amendment, claiming that they can’t be forced to associate with political viewpoints they don’t want linked to their content.

Adding even more intrigue, Elon Musk is reportedly backing Carano’s legal fight, which adds another layer of complexity to this already high-stakes battle.

The court has some important dates lined up, with April 18th, 2025, proposed as the cut-off for discovery and a trial potentially starting on September 29th of that year. It’s expected to be a week-long affair with up to 20 witnesses taking the stand.