Elon Musk funds lawsuit for Gina Carano against Lucasfilm and Disney

Actor Gina Carano has sued Disney and Lucasfilm after she was fired in 2021 over a social media post in which she compared being a Republican to being a Jew during the Holocaust.

Tech mogul Elon Musk has taken a notable step by funding a lawsuit on behalf of Gina Carano, inviting others to join the legal action through his platform X.

Financial Support and Legal Action

Carano is seeking $75,000 (£60,000) in damages and is additionally pushing the court to compel Lucasfilm to recast her in her former role. Representatives for the defendants have not yet provided comment on the matter.

Background on Gina Carano

A former MMA fighter, Carano gained prominence for her portrayal of Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian.” However, her tenure was marked by frequent clashes with individuals holding left-wing views.

Controversial Social Media Post

The turning point came in February 2021 when Carano shared a post on Instagram equating the treatment of Jews by the Nazis with the current political landscape faced by Republicans. This sparked widespread criticism and led to her dismissal by Lucasfilm and her talent agency, UTA.

Reasons for Termination

In response to Carano’s post, Lucasfilm cited it as “abhorrent and unacceptable,” denouncing her for denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities.

Details of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in California federal court, accuses the Walt Disney Company, which owns Lucasfilm, of wrongful termination and retaliation. The complaint, spanning 59 pages, is rich with references to the Star Wars universe and portrays Carano as a victim of ideological censorship.

Allegations of Wrongful Termination

Carano contends that she was fired for expressing her own opinions and resisting pressure to conform to what she views as an extreme progressive ideology. 

The narrative of the lawsuit paints Lucasfilm as an empire enforcing a singular orthodoxy, intolerant of dissenting voices.

Conclusion

The legal battle between Carano and Lucasfilm unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing debates surrounding free speech, ideological diversity, and corporate responsibility in the entertainment industry. 

With Elon Musk’s backing, the lawsuit promises to be a closely watched affair with potential implications beyond the confines of Hollywood.