Gina Carano, who gained fame for her role in “The Mandalorian,” had some strong words to say about the recent South Park episode that criticized Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Disney’s diversity initiatives.
The episode, titled “South Park: Joining the Panderverse,” aired on Paramount+, and it revolves around Cartman’s fear of being replaced by a diverse woman. Through some multiverse chaos, Cartman ends up in a universe populated entirely by women of color. The episode reveals that the cause of the multiverse rift was Kathleen Kennedy, who was using a secret Disney artifact called the Panderstone to continuously remake the same ideas to cater to a wider audience. In typical South Park fashion, the episode also takes a swipe at the online trolls who continuously targeted Kathleen Kennedy for her decisions.
Naturally, Gina Carano had something to say about this episode. She took to social media to express her thoughts. Carano wrote, “This is the part where [Kathleen Kennedy] demands any YouTubers get censored off of YouTube for sharing and laughing at this hilarious episode, she’ll have YouTube disable the thumbs down option because of the ratio she’ll receive, then she’ll have her publicist ghouls make sure Variety and Hollywood Reporter run hit pieces about the South Park creators and their families smearing their names through every useful idiot she has under her thumb who would sell their soul to work for Lucasfilm. She’ll activate her online mob to repeat that the South Park creators are racist, bigot, transphobes, and demand the South Park creators publicly apologize by only using words she approves of and finally she’ll demand they subject themselves to a re-education course of 45 people in the lbgtq community zoom call to sit there and listen of how badly they got their feelings hurt all over a little boop of a South Park episode. But maybe just maybe the jig is up.”
In a follow-up post on Twitter, Carano further elaborated on her thoughts. She questioned the dismissal of women who have more firsthand experience and have different opinions, stating that labeling them as “crazy” is misogynistic. Carano also criticized the handling of the situation by those in power and emphasized the importance of embracing and communicating with fans, actors, and directors instead of silencing and dictating to them.
Carano played the character of Cara Dune, a Rebel shock-trooper, in the first two seasons of “The Mandalorian.” However, due to controversial social media posts, Lucasfilm decided to part ways with the actress. In a statement, Lucasfilm stated that Carano is no longer employed by their company and that there are no plans for her to be involved in future projects. They condemned her posts, calling them “abhorrent and unacceptable” for denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities.
The South Park episode and Carano’s reaction to it highlight the ongoing debate surrounding diversity and the handling of differing opinions within the entertainment industry. It is clear that these issues continue to spark passionate discussions among fans, creators, and industry insiders.
Gina Carano’s response to the South Park episode slamming Kathleen Kennedy and Disney’s diversity initiatives adds fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding these issues in the entertainment industry. It highlights the importance of embracing differing opinions and engaging in open communication rather than silencing and dictating to individuals. The controversy surrounding Carano’s departure from “The Mandalorian” and her subsequent comments demonstrates the passionate discussions taking place within the industry and among fans.
