Gina Carano Settles Disney Lawsuit Ahead of Netflix MMA Return vs. Ronda Rousey

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Nearly 17 years after her last pro fight, MMA pioneer Gina Carano walked into Thursday’s press conference already holding a victory: a landmark legal settlement with Disney, the studio that fired her from "The Mandalorian" for her outspoken views.

As she prepares to headline Netflix’s first live women’s MMA event against Ronda Rousey on May 16, Carano looked back at the public backlash that nearly sidelined her career.

After hanging up the gloves in 2009, she broke into Hollywood in 2019 as Cara Dune in "The Mandalorian," quickly becoming a fan favorite in the Star Wars universe.

Two years later, Lucasfilm dropped her from the role over social media posts that challenged COVID mandates and social justice awareness at their height. The firing sparked a national debate on free speech, politics and ideological conformity in Hollywood.

At Thursday's news conference, OutKick asked Carano if she would still stand by her beliefs despite the fallout. Someone in the crowd blurted out "F--- Disney" before her response.

"Standing up for freedom of speech in this country," Carano said. "I don't apologize one bit for anything that I said. I look back and I have so much confidence in myself because everything that I've said came true. Everything that I have said happened."

When asked about her impact after taking on Disney, Carano replied, "Everybody was holding their breath and I didn't, and I'm usually the one that's really relaxed and calm, but I stood up and I spoke out and I paid a heavy price for it. But I would pay that price again and again, because we cannot let what was happening to this country happen again."

Carano has long argued she was targeted for her conservative views. That claim fueled her 2021 lawsuit against Disney after Lucasfilm condemned her social media activity.

The legal battle turned in August 2025 with a settlement backed financially by Elon Musk and X. Lucasfilm called Carano a "well-respected" talent and signaled openness to future work.

"We cannot let go of our freedom of speech even if you don't like it," Carano said. "We need to be able to speak to one another, to open up speech, and we can't lose our rights. There have been people that have been fired whose opinions I disagree with, but I don't think they should be fired."

Carano framed the dispute as a line worth holding, even at career cost. She warned against corporate influence over personal beliefs and said Americans should not fear losing livelihoods over views.

"I don't think we should take their livelihood from them," she added. "We should be able, in America, to set the precedent of freedom. And I'm not sorry one bit, and it turned out well. Disney settled, and I'm proud of that. That was a huge victory for me."

For Carano, the settlement marked a legal and financial win after years of public defiance. The May 16 bout is her first pro appearance since 2009.

"That was a physical victory," she said of the legal fight. "This is kind of more personal; a reclaim my body victory."

Carano appeared at peace with challenging Disney and facing backlash for her free speech stance.