Disney is responding strongly to Gina Carano lawsuit alleging wrongful termination from The Mandalorian. The company claims that Carano’s dismissal was fully justified. This is due to her social media posts, which Disney describes as offensive and inflammatory. In addition, Disney seeks a complete dismissal of the lawsuit. For this part, it argues that Carano’s contract did not guarantee her continued employment. She also breached her duties by making statements that damaged the company’s reputation and violated its values. The legal battle between Carano and Disney is expected to continue as both sides vigorously defend their positions.
Disney Fires Back At Gina Carano Over ‘Mandalorian’ Firing Lawsuit: ‘Disney Had Enough’
Gina Carano, who portrayed the character Cara Dune in The Mandalorian, filed a lawsuit against Lucasfilm and its parent company, The Walt Disney Co., in February 2021. Carano, known for her background in mixed martial arts, was terminated from her role in the series in 2021.
Disney filed a motion to dismiss Gina Carano lawsuit Tuesday in federal court in the Central District of California. It also detailed the reasons it fired the actress. According to court records obtained by USA TODAY, the company cited a series of incidents that led to what it described as “the straw that broke the camel’s back” with Carano.
In its motion, the company asserted its constitutional right to disassociate its artistic expression from Gina Carano’s speech. It further argued that the First Amendment provides a broad defense against Carano’s claims.
Carano faced calls for her dismissal following her social media posts. In these she mocked trans rights, criticized COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the use of masks. He also questioned the 2020 election results and drew comparisons between the treatment of conservatives and Jews during the Holocaust on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Carano’s decision to publicly trivialize the Holocaust by comparing criticism of political conservatives to the annihilation of millions of Jewish people — notably, not ‘thousands’ — was the final straw for Disney,” the motion for dismissal states. “Disney had enough.”
The day Gina Carano posted the Holocaust message, Disney quickly announced her dismissal. They further alleged that she had used “abhorrent and unacceptable” language against people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
A Motion Presented by Disney
In its motion, the company stated, “A newspaper retains broad discretion in selecting the writers who articulate its editorial views. We as a creative production entity is equally entitled to considerable latitude in determining which artists to hire to convey its artistic messages.”
“As Carano’s fame grew with that of her character, she began to relate to fans and the show’s audience. Moreover, she did so in a way that, in Disney’s view, came to distract from and undermine Disney’s own expressive efforts,” the company explained.
According to reports by the Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter, Carano claimed in her lawsuit that her firing was due to her refusal to adhere to the demands of an “online bully mob.” This current advocated adherence to her “extreme progressive ideology.”
Featured Image Via Disney