Credit: Inside the MagicGina Carano will always be remembered for her role in Star Wars. Sadly, though, it’s likely to be for all the wrong reasons.
The MMA fighter first played Cara Dune in Season 1 of The Mandalorian (2019), with the character quickly becoming a fan favorite for her tough-but-tender attitude. Carano reprised the role in Season 2, returning as a regular alongside leads Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu.
At the time, Carano was rumored to lead the Disney+ spinoff Rangers of the New Republic. However, in February 2021, after sharing controversial social media posts, the actress was fired, which divided the Star Wars fanbase. Season 3, which premiered in 2023, explained Carano’s absence by revealing that Dune had joined New Republic Special Forces off-screen.
Meanwhile, plans for the Cara Dune-led spinoff had been scrapped.
Carano later filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against Disney and Lucasfilm, with the case backed financially by Elon Musk and X (formerly Twitter). A settlement was reached; however, the details were never released publicly. Still, this led many fans to believe that Carano could eventually return to the Star Wars franchise as Cara Dune. But, of course, that never happened.
Related: Disney Confirms ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian’ Series Remake, Will Remove Controversial Gina Carano
Now, Disney and Lucasfilm seem to have confirmed that Cara Dune has been left out of yet another Star Wars project.
In fact, Cara Dune, and by extension Gina Carano, has essentially been scrubbed from the franchise. Not only has the character not been recast; she hasn’t appeared in any new Star Wars animation, comic books, or live-action projects since Carano’s firing.
She was also left out of this year’s theatrical release The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026). And now, she isn’t even set to appear in the upcoming LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026).
According to StarWars.com, “this new animated galactic adventure celebrates your favorite stories and characters from all three seasons of The Mandalorian series, making it perfect for Star Wars and LEGO fans of all ages.” But one of those characters is mysteriously absent.
Several actors from The Mandalorian have returned to voice their respective characters, including Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze, Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, Ming-Na Wen as Fennec Shand, Nick Nolte as Kuiil, Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano, Taika Waititi as IG-11/IG-12, Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett, and Timothy Olyphant as Cobb Vanth.
But while there are a number of actors who haven’t returned to voice their respective characters, including Pedro Pascal (Din Djarin) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), it seems Cara Dune herself has also been erased from the special, as she doesn’t appear in the official trailer or on the official cast list, despite the fact that the special revisits all three seasons of The Mandalorian.
A full trailer was revealed at this year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience, where an early screening was also held.
LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian streams on Disney+ on September 2.
The Mandalorian & Grogu is also expected to begin streaming on September 2.
All three seasons of The Mandalorian are now streaming on Disney+.
What do you think of Lucasfilm leaving Cara Dune out of the new LEGO Mandalorian special? Should the character be recast, or is it time to leave Dune in the past? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
