Judge Orders Disney to Hand Over 'Mandalorian' Stars' Salary Data in Gina Carano's Lawsuit

Gina Carano has secured a crucial legal victory in her ongoing dispute with Disney, which requires the company to provide salary information for key actors in the Star Wars franchise. Specifically, the court has ordered Disney to disclose the pay details of Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, and Rosario Dawson, among others, who starred in "The Mandalorian" and "The Book of Boba Fett." This decision allows Carano to access these actors' salary records from past seasons, which could help calculate her potential damages if she wins her lawsuit. In 2021, Disney announced that Carano would not return for the third season of "The Mandalorian" due to a series of controversial statements she made on social media. These included comparing American political conservatives to Jews during the Nazi era, questioning the 2020 U.S. election results, opposing mask mandates for COVID-19 prevention, and mocking transgender individuals through her Twitter profile (now X). Her comments sparked significant public backlash and criticism, leading Disney to decide not to renew her contract. Carano's lawsuit, which has garnered the support of X's owner, Elon Musk, alleges that Disney violated California labor laws by terminating her employment due to her political views. Under California law, individuals are protected by the First Amendment in expressing their political opinions. Disney, however, maintains that it has the right to distance itself from Carano's views, which are also protected under the First Amendment. Carano's legal team has sought salary information from other lead actors in Star Wars productions, arguing that this data is essential for assessing her economic losses. Her lawyers also pointed out that she was set to star in the spin-off series "The Rangers of the New Republic," a continuation of "The Mandalorian." U.S. District Judge Steve Kim has ruled that Disney must submit detailed salary charts for the main cast of "The Mandalorian" (Seasons 1-3), Dawson from "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Ahsoka" (Seasons 1-2), and Luna from "Andor" (Seasons 1-2). Furthermore, the Judge has ordered Disney to provide salary information for actors from "The Mandalorian" who are set to appear in the upcoming film "The tales of The Mandalorian and Grogu." The court has mandated that these salary records be kept confidential and will not be made public immediately. If the case goes to trial, the information could become public in February 2026. Neither Disney nor the representatives of the involved actors have responded to media inquiries regarding the ruling. Industry experts view this ruling as a significant development in Carano's case. The salary information could strengthen her argument by demonstrating the financial impact of her dismissal and providing concrete evidence to support her claims. Carano had played a prominent role in the "Star Wars" franchise, and the pay levels of similarly positioned actors often reflect their industry standing and influence. Disney, one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, frequently faces labor disputes due to its significant industry presence, and this case is no exception.