Four years ago, our world looked a little bit more crazy and hectic. President Joe Biden had just taken office, and the wokescolds were calling the shots on cultural morality. For example, in February 2021, actress Gina Carano was fired from her role on the hit Disney+ TV series “The Mandalorian.” Here was the infamous social media post that got Carano canceled: “Jews were beaten in the streets, not by Nazi soldiers but by their neighbors … even by children.”
Her critique was of cancel culture, particularly that of the woke leftists who were digging through social media and finding old posts by which to crucify people they didn’t like. Carano decided to sue Disney for violating her free speech rights and for wrongful termination. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world who eventually purchased X (formerly Twitter), benevolently offered to foot the bill of the lawsuit.
At the time, Disney claimed that Carano’s post would alienate fans and that the company had the right to fire her on those grounds alone. Last year, when Disney tried to get the lawsuit thrown out, a lawyer asserted that it “should be dismissed because the company has the ‘right not to associate with a high-profile performer on a high-profile show who’s imbuing’ the Star Wars series with ‘views it disagrees with’ that could turn fans away from the show,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Our Thomas Gallatin commented:
What makes Disney’s action that much worse is the blatant hypocrisy. In 2018, “The Mandalorian” lead star Pedro Pascal posted on his social media account two juxtaposing pictures — the first depicting Jews behind barbwire captioned “1944 Germany” and the second picture featuring illegal immigrants behind bars captioned “America, 2018.” His facts were wrong — the photo was 2014 under Barack Obama, not 2018 under Donald Trump. But more to the point, would someone at Disney please explain how his speech was not “abhorrent and unacceptable”? Oh, that’s right — because it comes from someone touting the Left’s political and social narrative.
Another perfect example of hypocrisy is that Disney didn’t give Rachel Zegler the same treatment even after she was posting all sorts of left-wing political statements on social media, like hoping Trump supporters “never know peace” and “free Palestine.” Zegler was the lead in Disney’s live-action film “Snow White.” Wouldn’t she also qualify as “a high-profile performer on a high-profile” movie who expressed views that could alienate fans? I bet Disney is wishing it had done something about Zegler, particularly since her views were partially what killed “Snow White” at the box office. (Sidebar: The movie was really bad, but the songs were fun and catchy.)
Back to Carano, last week, the canceled actress announced that The Walt Disney Company had settled the lawsuit. In a statement, she wrote:
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, 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.
To my lawyers at @GSchaerr Schaerr|Jaffe who walked me through this unknown territory, thank you for your wisdom and guidance.
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.
Yes, I’m smiling.
From my heart to yours,
Gina
Disney released this statement:
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. 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.
The two clues that this is a complete and total victory for Carano are that she is smiling and Disney is open to working with her again. What wonderful news. Disney has done an entire 180 on Carano — a hopeful sign that Disney recognizes it needs to change.
