Gina Carano says defending free speech against Disney was worth the cost ahead of Netflix fight
INGLEWOOD, California — Nearly 17 years after his last professional fight, MMA pioneer Gina Carano He entered Thursday’s press conference already with a victory: a landmark legal settlement with Disney, the studio famous for firing him from “The Mandalorian” for his outspoken views.
As Gina Carano prepares to headline Netflix’s first live women’s MMA event against Ronda Rousey this Saturday, she’s looking back at the public backlash that nearly sidelined her career.
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After hanging up the gloves in 2009, she stormed into Hollywood in 2019 with a role as Cara Dune in “The Mandalorian.” quickly became a fan favorite Star Wars universe.
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano pose after the press conference for the Most Valuable Promotions MMA card at the Palladium Theater in New York on April 15, 2026. (Ed Mulholland/Imagn Images)
Two years later, at the height of COVID mandates and social justice awareness, she was ousted from the role of her lifetime for social media posts that challenged the status quo.
A national debate has flared over free speech, politics, and ideological relevance in Hollywood.
When asked by OutKick At Thursday’s press conference, Carano made it clear that she has no regrets about whether she still stands by her beliefs despite professional setbacks. “F— Disney” he blurted out in the crowd before his response.
Carano said, “I defend freedom of expression in this country, I don’t apologize one bit for anything I said. I look back and I feel very confident because everything I said came true. Everything I said came true.”
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When asked about her impact after buying Disney, Carano responded:
“Everyone was holding their breath and I didn’t, and I was usually the one who was really relaxed and calm, but I stood up, I spoke up, and I paid a heavy price for it. But I would pay that price again and again because we can’t let what happened to this country happen again.”
Carano has long argued that she was targeted for her conservative views.
This allegation was at the center of Lucasfilm’s lawsuit against Disney after he was fired in 2021 after publicly condemning his social media activities. Reflecting on the moment she chose to speak, Carano described displaying a calm determination that contrasted with what she saw as a culture of fear in the entertainment industry.
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Carano’s legal battle took a major turn when she reached a settlement with Disney and Lucasfilm in August 2025, after a long legal battle financially backed by Elon Musk and X.
“Even if you don’t like it, we can’t give up our freedom of expression. We need to be able to talk to each other, open up expression, and we can’t lose our rights. There were people who were fired whose views I disagree with, but I don’t think they should be fired.”
Gina Carano attends the premiere of Disney Plus’ “The Mandalorian” at the El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles, California on November 13, 2019. (Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic)
The deal was widely seen as a significant victory for the actor, especially after Lucasfilm released a statement describing him as a “respected” talent and expressing openness to future collaborations.
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Carano framed the disagreement as a line she believed was worth pursuing, even at the expense of her career.
He also warned against growing corporate influence over personal beliefs and private views, insisting that Americans should not fear losing their livelihoods because of their views.
“I don’t think we should take away their livelihood from them,” Carano added. “We should be able to set a precedent for freedom in America. I’m not upset at all, and everything went well. Disney settled down, and I’m proud of that. That was a big victory for me.”
The Disney deal provided a legal and financial victory, but for Carano the last few years have been a grueling marathon of public challenges.
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Gina Carano attends the premiere of Disney’s “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” on December 16, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
The May 16 bout, which headlines Netflix’s first live MMA event for women, marks Carano’s first professional appearance since 2009.
“This was a physical victory,” he said, referring to the legal battle. “This is a little more personal; reclaiming the glory of my body.”
Carano seemed content to take on the Mouse and endure years of backlash for defending what she believed was her right to free speech.
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