Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“I’m definitely happy about the chance to continue progressing with the legal process and move into the discovery phase.”
On Thursday, actress Gina Carano expressed her satisfaction after Disney’s attempt to postpone the discovery phase in her wrongful termination lawsuit was rejected while appealing a prior ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Earlier in the week, U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett turned down Disney’s request for a stay of proceedings and interlocutory appeal, according to a report from Deadline. Carano, who had filed the lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm three years after her dismissal from The Mandalorian, took to X to share her relief that her case would continue moving forward after the appeal to delay the trial was denied.
Carano, who starred in the DailyWire+ movie Terror on the Prairie, initiated the lawsuit against the entertainment company following her firing over what was described as “offensive” social media content. Part of her decision to sue was motivated by Elon Musk’s August 2023 offer to cover legal expenses for anyone who had been “unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform.”
“After the Judge DENIED Disney’s request to DISMISS my case, Disney sought permission to immediately appeal that decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and delay all discovery while the appeal proceeded,” Carano explained. “Yesterday, on October 16th, 2024, we learned that the Judge DENIED Disney’s unusual request.”
“I’m certainly pleased to have the chance to continue advancing through the judicial process and into discovery,” she added. “Although I would have preferred to avoid this legal battle, I won’t back down simply because it’s challenging or uncomfortable.”
“Once again, a big thank you to everyone who has supported me daily, to my amazing legal team, and to Elon Musk @elonmusk and the team at @X for providing the opportunity to pursue this lawsuit and seek justice,” Carano said, acknowledging the CEO’s financial backing. “Onward.”
The trial is set to start on September 29, 2025.
In July, Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett decided that Carano’s lawsuit could proceed, rejecting Disney’s attempt to have the case dismissed on First Amendment grounds.
Disney had contended that it possessed a “right not to associate with a high-profile performer on a high-profile show who’s infusing” the Star Wars series with “views it disagrees with” that might alienate fans, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Bloomberg reported that Carano’s lawsuit argues her firing was primarily due to her political views but also linked to Disney’s efforts to “deflect from criticisms” aimed at Disney+ and then-CEO Bob Chapek’s leadership. Addressing the conflicting claims from Disney and Carano, Judge Garnett questioned, “Wouldn’t that suggest there’s a factual dispute as to why Disney actually terminated her?”
The lawsuit accuses Disney of wrongful termination, claiming that Carano lost millions in potential earnings and seeks to compel Lucasfilm to recast her role.
