The legal standoff between Disney and actress Gina Carano escalated this week, delivering a significant setback to the entertainment giant. Carano, dismissed from her role as Cara Dune in “The Mandalorian” back in 2021, is suing Disney for wrongful termination and discrimination, claiming she was targeted due to her conservative political views. Despite Disney’s legal maneuvers to block the case from progressing, recent rulings have cleared the way for Carano’s lawsuit to move forward.
Carano was fired after posting political statements on social media, sparking accusations that Disney was silencing her for expressing her beliefs. Her legal claim argues that Disney retaliated against her for her political views, violating California labor protections that shield employees’ off-the-clock political activities from employer retaliation. The case has drawn widespread attention, particularly among free speech advocates, many of whom argue that Disney unfairly targeted Carano for holding views that don’t align with the company’s public stance.
This week, U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett denied Disney’s request for an immediate appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, a move Disney hoped would halt the case before it reached the discovery phase.
That’s what Dinsey is worried about.
When the case goes to discovery, all the evidence will come out about who decided what and who said what.
In other words, names will be named and they will be held accountable.
Not to mention, Carano’s legal counsel could (and probably will) go public which would be devastating to Disney.
The judge ruled that Disney’s First Amendment arguments—claiming that the company had a right to make casting decisions based on the impact of public advocacy—did not merit fast-tracking an appeal. According to Judge Garnett, the legal questions posed by Disney’s defense did not present significant enough disagreement to justify delaying the case.
With the judge’s ruling, the lawsuit now enters the discovery phase, a critical stage where both sides gather evidence and depose witnesses. Carano expressed her satisfaction with the decision, sharing her thoughts with followers on X (formerly known as Twitter). “While I wish this was not necessary,” Carano wrote, “I will not shrink away from this battle just because it’s hard or uncomfortable.”
Disney should have just settled and made the whole thing go away.
The case has garnered attention from high-profile figures, including Elon Musk, whom Carano thanked in a post for providing her with what she called a “fighting chance.” Musk’s outspoken support for free speech has made him a prominent ally for individuals like Carano, who claim to have been unfairly targeted for their views.
Carano’s lawsuit could challenge the limits of California law, testing whether a company can legally punish employees for their personal political beliefs. If successful, her case could set a precedent that strengthens protections for workers expressing political opinions outside the workplace.
In a heartfelt message posted in July, Carano reflected on the emotional toll of the legal battle: “After a brutal 3 1/2 years, I am being given the opportunity to move forward… to clear my name,” she wrote. “What happened to me was unacceptable, absurd, and abusive… It should not happen to anyone else moving forward. Let it stop here.”