Inside Gina Carano’s surprising settlement with Disney and what it could mean for her return

Gina Carano, who played the role of Cara Dune in Star Wars: The Mandalorian, has finally settled her five-year Elon Musk-funded lawsuit with Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm, over 'discrimination and wrongful termination.'

On Thursday, a spokesperson for Lucasfilm announced the legal settlement between Carano and Disney over the actress' alleged unjust firing from her ongoing project:

"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.''

Gina Carano made her The Mandalorian Season 1 debut as Cara Dune, the Rebel shock-trooper. While the actress appeared in the final two episodes of Season 1 and the first three episodes of Season 2, she was allegedly fired by the studios in February 2021.

In addition, the actress was also intended to lead The Mandalorian spin-off, but was instead fired, her character was written off in Season 3, and Disney quietly canceled the spin-off series.

What has Gina Carano said about her settlement with Disney?

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Gina Carano eventually filed a lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm for her wrongful termination and s*xual discrimination from the studios, which was funded by Elon Musk and supported by her co-star Bill Burr.

Now, five years later, the actress has finally settled the lawsuit as she posted on X:

"I have come to an agreement with Disney/Lucasfilm which I believe is the best outcome for all parties involved. I hope this brings some healing to the force."

She also thanked Elon Musk for funding her lawsuit:

"I want to extend my deepest most heartfelt gratitude to Elon Musk, a man I've never met, who did this Good Samaritan deed for me in funding my lawsuit and for backing my case and asking for nothing in return."

What does this settlement mean for Gina Carano's return?

Now that both parties have flipped onto a new page, Gina Carano could make her return with Disney and Lucasfilm. Both parties seemed hopeful for a second chance in their working relationship, as the spokesperson for Lucasfilm said in their statement:

"With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future."

"I am excited to flip the page and move onto the next chapter.'' Carano added

There are many opportunities for Carano to return as Cara Dune in Disney's Star Wars franchise. While a 2026 return doesn't seem likely as The Mandalorian and Grogu has already wrapped filming, there are other projects for the actress to make her return. The Mandalorian Season 4 seems the most likely project for Carano to make her Star Wars return, but news about the project is scarce.

This makes Ahsoka Season 2 the most likely project for Gina Carano's return. Her character was last recruited by the New Republic Special Forces, which saw her surprising turn into a mercenary. Given that Ahsoka Season 2, starring Rosario Dawson, will continue shooting for another month or two, Cara Dune could very well cross paths with some Rebel characters.

In addition, the lawsuit settlement might also pave the way for Carano to lead her own (previously axed) spin-off series.