(Photo courtesy MegaCon)
ORLANDO | Actress Gina Carano, best known for her role as Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” has been announced for this year’s MegaCon in Orlando as part of its “Star Wars” lineup.
Carano was let go from the hit Disney+ series in February 2021 after several months of tweeting comments many called anti-trans, racist and anti-Semitic. She was also called out for tweeting what appeared to be support for several conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election.
LucasFilm issued a statement Feb. 10, 2021 through The Hollywood Reporter after the hashtag #FireGinaCarano began trending on Twitter.
“Gina Carano is not currently employed by Lucasfilm and there are no plans for her to be in the future,” a Lucasfilm spokesperson said in a statement. “Nevertheless, her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.”
After minutes of making the announcement, MegaCon’s Facebook post was filled with comments from people both criticizing and commending the addition of Carano to the convention.
The annual pop culture convention, the largest of its kind in the southeastern U.S., draws fans from all walks of entertainment life from TV, film, comics, anime and every corner of every fandom under the message of “discover, celebrate, belong.” Last year, MegaCon began working with the LGBT+ Center Orlando to provide an LGBTQ safe space at the Orlando convention, a space that is expected to again be offered at this year’s con.
Dr. George Wallace, CEO of The Center Orlando, says he has reached out to MegaCon via email, writing he was “troubled” when he heard they announced Carano’s appearance at this year’s convention and would like “an open and candid conversation” with them. Wallace says The Center will weight its options depending on the outcome of that conversation.
Watermark has reached out to MegaCon for comment.
MegaCon 2022 is scheduled for May 19-22 at the Orange County Convention Center.
