Greetings, everyone! We’ve got some fascinating news to discuss today—the ongoing legal struggle involving Gina Carano, known for her role in The Mandalorian until her controversial dismissal. The list of potential witnesses is amazing, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this case settled.
Those who have been designated as a witness in this case reads like a Hollywood A-list, featuring names such as Pedro Pascal, Jon Favreau, and Bob Chapek, the former CEO of Disney.
Gina Carano, a former MMA fighter, and Disney have together compiled a list of potential witnesses, which intriguingly includes Bear Grylls, Lucasfilm’s president Kathleen Kennedy, and Lynne Hale, the key figure behind Star Wars’ public relations campaign.
A court document released on July 26 provides an insight into what we can expect when the trial commences, tentatively slated for September 25, 2025. Central to the case is the question of whether Carano was still under contract when Disney allegedly let her go on February 10, 2021. This alleged firing reportedly occurred due to her political expressions on social media platforms.
Another debate is over whether Carano was treated differently from her male coworkers. In her lawsuit filed in February, she alleges that Disney and Lucasfilm overlooked offensive posts directed at Republicans by others while she was dismissed due to her cultural and religious beliefs. She referred to a 2017 post by Pascal in which he compared former President Donald Trump to Hitler.
Moreover, Pascal allegedly equated the U.S.’s stance on illegal immigration to Germany’s concentration camps. Jon Favreau, the creator of The Mandalorian, might be called to testify regarding Disney’s approval of a new spinoff titled Rangers of the New Republic, originally meant to feature Carano’s character, Cara Dune.
Bear Grylls could also be summoned, as it’s alleged that Disney withdrew an episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls featuring Carano after her termination. In response to Carano’s list of witnesses, Disney hinted at calling Lucasfilm’s VP of animation and live-action development, Carrie Beck, and Disney’s executive VP of communications, Paul Roeder, to the stand.
A federal judge recently rejected Disney’s bid to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge stated that Carano’s discrimination claims weren’t First Amendment violations, implying that she might have been dismissed from the series for expressing political beliefs that weren’t well received.
However, Disney has counter-argued, stating that it has the right to protect its Star Wars series from being associated with views it and its audience might find offensive and contrary to their message of respect, integrity, and inclusion.
The potential financial impact on Carano could be substantial. A regular role in a spinoff typically involves a six-year contract with a starting salary of $150,000 to $250,000 per episode, with each season comprising up to 10 episodes. Clearly, the stakes are high, and we will remain vigilant in tracking this case, keeping you informed about any new developments. Until next time, stay safe, and we’ll catch up in our next update.
