Disney Settles Gina Carano Lawsuit — and She Could Be Returning to Star Wars?!
Gina Carano’s firing from The Mandalorian sparked years of controversy, lawsuits, and online culture war debates — but now, Lucasfilm says they’re ready to work with her again.
Here’s the TL;DR…
Gina Carano sued Disney and Lucasfilm in 2024 for wrongful termination after being fired from The Mandalorian.
A judge allowed the case to proceed, but both parties settled before trial.
Lucasfilm issued a surprisingly warm statement praising Carano and expressing interest in working with her again.
The statement marks a major tone shift and could signal a potential return for her character, Cara Dune.
How We Got Here
Gina Carano, best known for her role as Cara Dune on Disney+’s The Mandalorian, was fired in February 2021 following a series of social media posts Disney deemed “abhorrent and unacceptable.” The dismissal ignited a firestorm among fans, many accusing Disney of political bias and double standards.
In February 2024, Carano filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm, alleging discrimination over her political views. The suit quickly drew attention for being partially funded by billionaire Elon Musk under his X Corp. legal aid initiative.
What happened in Gina Carano’s lawsuit against Disney?
In July 2024, a federal judge denied Disney’s motion to dismiss Carano’s lawsuit, ruling that her employment didn’t clearly constitute protected “expressive association” under the First Amendment. This decision paved the way for a trial scheduled for September 2025, but Disney and Lucasfilm opted to settle — likely to avoid further legal and public relations challenges.
Lucasfilm’s Sudden Change of Heart?
The surprise came in Lucasfilm’s official statement following the settlement:
“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. 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 in the near future.”
Reported by outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, the statement marks a significant tonal shift from Disney’s earlier public comments, signaling that professional bridges may be rebuilt.
Can Cara Dune Come Back Now?
Disney’s sudden warmth toward Carano could be tied to shifting fan dynamics. The Mandalorian has seen declining viewership in recent seasons, and Lucasfilm’s other Star Wars projects have faced mixed critical and audience reception. Carano’s Cara Dune was a fan favorite — and bringing her back, even in a limited capacity, might be a strategic move.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Do you think Lucasfilm genuinely wants to work with Gina Carano again, or is this purely a PR move? Would bringing back Cara Dune win back fans, or is the moment long gone?
Sources:
The Hollywood Reporter – “Gina Carano, Lucasfilm Settle Wrongful Termination Lawsuit”
Deadline – “Lucasfilm and Gina Carano Settle”
News compiled by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses / Published on August 7, 2025