Gina Carano, a former MMA fighter and actress, has settled her lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm over her 2021 removal from The Mandalorian. On August 7, 2025, both parties filed a joint brief in the U.S. District Court Central District of California to dismiss the case with prejudice, signaling a mutual agreement. Carano thanked Elon Musk for funding her legal fight, while Lucasfilm hinted at future collaborations.
Settlement Reached Amicably
The agreement ends a dispute tied to Carano’s firing from her role as Cara Dune.
“Plaintiff Gina Carano, on the one hand, and Defendants The Walt Disney Company, Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, and Huckleberry Industries (US) Inc., on the other, by and through their undersigned counsel, hereby stipulate that this action and all claims, including all defenses asserted therein, be dismissed with prejudice,” the joint brief stated.
Lucasfilm praised Carano’s work ethic.
“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,” Lucasfilm said. “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”
Carano’s Thanks and Plans
Carano expressed gratitude and optimism.
“I have come to an agreement with Disney/Lucasfilm, which I believe is the best outcome for all parties involved. I hope this brings some healing to the force,” she wrote on X. “I want to extend my deepest most heartfelt gratitude to Elon Musk, a man I’ve never met, who did this Good Samaritan deed for me in funding my lawsuit. Thank you Mr. Musk and X for backing my case and asking for nothing in return”.
She thanked her fans and looked ahead.
“I am humbled and grateful to God for His love and grace in this outcome. I’d like to thank you all for your unrelenting support throughout my life and career, you’ve been the heartbeat that has kept my story alive. I hope to make you proud. I am excited to flip the page and move onto the next chapter. My desires remain in the arts, which is where I hope you will join me”
I have come to an agreement with Disney/Lucasfilm @disney @Lucasfilm which I believe is the best outcome for all parties involved. I hope this brings some healing to the force.
I want to extend my deepest most heartfelt gratitude to Elon Musk, @elonmusk a man I’ve never met,… https://t.co/qiAX7W1vgf
— Gina Carano 🕯 (@ginacarano) August 7, 2025
Carano, 43, played Cara Dune in The Mandalorian’s first two seasons, starting in 2019 on Disney+. She was fired in February 2021 after a social media post comparing the treatment of U.S. conservatives to Jews during the Holocaust, which Lucasfilm deemed “abhorrent and unacceptable”. Other posts questioning COVID-19 mandates, the 2020 election, and transgender pronouns also drew backlash.
In February 2024, Carano, with Musk’s financial backing, sued Disney and Lucasfilm for wrongful termination and sex discrimination, alleging her conservative views were unfairly targeted while male co-stars like Pedro Pascal faced no repercussions for similar posts. She sought $75,000, punitive damages, and reinstatement. Musk, who committed to funding X users’ lawsuits over free speech, supported her case. A judge denied Disney’s motion to dismiss in July 2024, leading to the settlement.
Carano was a trailblazer in women’s MMA, posting a 7-1 record from 2006 to 2009 with victories over Tonya Evinger and Kelly Kobold. Her loss to Cris Cyborg at Strikeforce in August 2009 marked the first women’s MMA fight to headline a major event. She moved to acting with roles in Haywire (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), and Deadpool (2016) before joining The Mandalorian (IMDb). After her firing, UTA dropped her, and she starred in conservative-backed films like Terror on the Prairie (2022). Lucasfilm’s statement suggests potential roles in projects like the 2026 Mandalorian & Grogu film.
