Pedro Pascal, Bear Grylls, and former Disney CEO Bob Chapek are among the potential witnesses in Gina Carano's lawsuit against Disney. Carano alleges that Disney violated California labor laws by removing her from 'The Mandalorian' due to her personal views.
In 2021, Disney announced Carano's departure from the show after she made controversial social media posts. These posts included comparisons between conservatives and Jews during the Holocaust, questioning the 2020 election results, and mocking the use of masks and pronouns.
Carano's lawsuit, backed by Elon Musk and filed in February, accuses Disney of unjustly firing her for her protected political views. She claims Disney discriminated against her gender and allowed left-leaning actors to express their political opinions without consequences.
Disney argues that Carano was not fired but that her character was simply not included in future 'Star Wars' projects. The company asserts its First Amendment right to disassociate from Carano's viewpoints.
US District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett recently denied Disney's motion to dismiss the case, ruling that Disney's First Amendment defenses do not grant immunity under California's anti-discrimination laws.
Carano's request for testimony includes key figures like Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, and Lynn Hale from Lucasfilm, along with Chapek, Pascal, and Grylls. Carano claims Pascal engaged her in a conversation about transgender rights during the social media backlash.
Carano also alleges that Disney penalized her by initially pulling an episode of 'Running Wild with Bear Grylls' from National Geographic. The episode was later reinstated after public outcry, but Carano was excluded from promotional materials.
A trial date of September 25, 2025, has been proposed, with depositions expected to take place before then. Both sides are gearing up for a legal battle that could shed light on the complexities of free speech, workplace discrimination, and corporate accountability in the entertainment industry.
