Forget the "Star Wars" because the real conflict now is between Disney and Gina Carano. This time, the House of Mouse is looking to get her lawsuit thrown out after arguing it had a First Amendment right to fire The Mandalorian star following a series of controversial social media posts.
As we first reported on SFFGazette.com, Disney's lawyers say the company has "a constitutional right not to associate its artistic expression with Carano's speech" after the MMA fighter turned actress compared the treatment of modern-day conservatives to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany.
That was "the final straw" for Disney after Carano had previously been criticised for posts questioning COVID restrictions and the legitimacy of the 2020 election, not to mention a widely criticised lack of support for the trans community. The core of their argument is that she trivialised the Holocaust by saying thousands, not millions, of Jews died. "Disney had enough," the response later states.
"Disney thus was entitled to protect its creative speech in the 'Star Wars' series from association with views Disney and many viewers (and potential viewers) considered offensive and contrary to Disney’s values," the company's lawyers also wrote. "Carano’s presence as a prominent actor on ‘The Mandalorian’ interfered with Disney’s choice not to produce a show associated with her beliefs."
Carano, who believes she'll force Disney/Lucasfilm to bring her back as Cara Dune, recently appeared on The Sage Steele Show and denied comparing Republican voters to Jews in the Holocaust.
Instead, she was "literally just saying, 'People, were are turning against each other, and history repeats itself, and we need to be cautious of that while all of our emotions are running so high.' And it just seemed like it could reach everyone, that statement."
"It wasn't anything compared to what some of my co-stars said, and they'd made references to Republicans being Nazis," Carano added. "And, by the way, I adore all of my co-stars. I'm just saying, what I put out there was more about for everyone. Democrats, liberals, people who don't vote, Republicans. That was for everyone to stop demonizing each other, stop attacking each other."
It's unclear when a decision will be made and how far it will get. Disney is pushing to get the lawsuit thrown out and may have a strong case, as one of Carano's lawyers previously wrote an article that backs their arguments against Carano. We'll keep you updated.
There aren't currently any firm plans for The Mandalorian season 3, but The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to be released in theaters on May 22, 2026.