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Disney has suffered a crushing blow in the lawsuit with former The Mandalorian star Gina Carano.

The 41-year-old actor is suing the studio, along with Lucasfilm, for discrimination and wrongful termination after the former MMA fighter was dropped from the Star Wars spinoff in February 2021 for sharing a social media post in which she Republican experience seemed comparable in the US to that of Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Carano filed a complaint in California federal court, with help from X/Twitter owner Elon Musk, accusing the entertainment companies of damaging her reputation and discriminating against her based on her gender. As part of the lawsuit, Carano questioned why the studios didn’t treat her former co-star Pedro Pascal the same way over posts he shared about hot topics.

While Disney tried to have the lawsuit dismissed, saying that Carano’s decision “to publicly downplay the Holocaust by comparing criticism of political conservatives to the destruction of millions of Jewish people was the final straw,” a judge dismissed the studio’s appeal , and the trial will take place in September 2025.

U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett said, “After reviewing the parties’ arguments, the relevant law, and the record in this case, the Court DENIES the motion.”

Commenting on the decision, Carano said: “I am obviously very pleased with the opportunity to continue to move forward with the judicial process and discovery. While I wish this were not necessary, as it is not my desire to be in this court battle, I will not shy away from it because it is difficult or uncomfortable.

The independent has contacted Disney for additional comment.

In a section of the lawsuit entitled “Social Media Posts from Carano’s Co-Stars,” Carano questioned Disney and Lucasfilm’s lack of response to posts shared on X/Twitter by her former co-star Pascal, with whom she previously claimed to have reached an agreement. with their opposing beliefs.

The lawsuit states: “Carano respects the rights of her co-stars to express their opinions on social media, even if they differ from her own, and she remains personally fond of each of them. Defendants’ treatment of Carano, however, stands in stark contrast to Defendants’ embrace of her male coworkers and other male employees. Therefore, the following examples are provided to demonstrate the discriminatory treatment suffered by Carano at the hands of Defendants.”

Carano’s lawyers then cited reports of Pascal supporting Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights, stating: “On June 27, 2020, Pascal featured two Disney Muppet characters, Bert and Ernie, while transgender and LGBTQ+ activists waved a pride flag and advertised ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Defund the Police’.”

Another message shared in the lawsuit shows Pascal comparing Donald Trump to Hitler.

It says: “Based on information and belief, Pascal was not disciplined, required to review documentaries on any of these topics, required to speak to individuals with opposing views, or pressured to apologize for his posts. His employment was not terminated, and Defendants have made no public statements about his social media posts, let alone calling them ‘horrendous.’”

Carano is seeking an injunction that would force Lucasfilm to recast her and at least $75,000 (£57,500), plus damages.