Movies & Entertainment

‘Star Wars’ Cara Dune Has Made an Animated Appearance, but Most Fans Missed It

Though it might seem hard to believe, there are still many Star Wars characters who are yet to make their animated debut.

With several animated shows now streaming on Disney+, including The Clone Wars (2008–2020), Rebels (2014–2018), Forces of Destiny (2017–2018), The Bad Batch (2021–2024), and Tales of the Underworld (2025), you’d think that the faraway galaxy had converted every single character into animation by now. But this just isn’t the case.

Ahsoka Tano in 'The Clone Wars'
Credit: StarWars.com

You’ll find neglected characters scattered all over the faraway galaxy, but the vast majority of them can be found in the live-action Disney+ shows. Our eyes instantly fall on the flagship series, The Mandalorian (2019), which features the likes of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), Kuiil (voiced by Nick Nolte), and Cara Dune (Gina Carano).

Of course, we’ll likely see them in animation sooner or later — that’s just how Star Wars works; always hopping back and forth along its timeline no matter the storytelling medium. Seeing an animated Mando and Grogu on a space-hopping adventure is just inevitable. But there’s one character from that series who will probably never end up in animation, and that’s ex-rebel shock trooper Cara Dune.

Din Djarin (L) and Cara Dune (R) in 'The Mandalorian'
Credit: Lucasfilm

What Happened to Cara Dune and Gina Carano?

Fans of The Mandalorian will be familiar with the controversy surrounding Gina Carano. Back in 2021, when she was fired by Lucasfilm for sharing a string of social media posts they deemed highly offensive. Three years later, the actress and former-MMA fighter filed a lawsuit against Lucasfilm, alleging wrongful dismissal and sex discrimination.

Either way, Cara Dune hasn’t appeared in official Star Wars canon since Carano’s shocking exit, whether in live action or elsewhere, and it’s unlikely she’ll get the animated treatment as it seems Disney has, in equal parts, cut ties with both the actress and her character.

Gina Carano as Cara Dune in 'The Mandalorian'
Credit: Lucasfilm

Cara Dune Has Appeared in Star Wars in Other Mediums

But you might be surprised to learn that Cara Dune has appeared in a Star Wars video game, alongside Mando, Grogu, Kuiil, and Greef Karga — in the city-building app game “Disney Magic Kingdoms.”

Developed for iOS, Android, and Windows, “Disney Magic Kingdoms” allows players to create the Disney Park of their dreams, “filled with beloved Disney, Pixar and Star Wars characters, exciting attractions and special events.

In 2020, The Mandalorian Mini Event Update was rolled out as part of the Star Wars character collection. Watch the trailer below, which features Dune and other familiar faces from The Mandalorian:

Related: Lucasfilm Has Officially Erased Gina Carano From ‘Star Wars’ : Disney Fanatic

Where Else Has Cara Dune Appeared in Star Wars?

“Disney Magic Kingdoms” isn’t the only video game Cara Dune has appeared in — she also became a playable DLC character in 2022’s “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.” As for other corners of the faraway galaxy, unfortunately, it’s just the first two seasons of The Mandalorian and the junior novels and comic books based on the show.

Whether or not Cara Dune will ever return to the franchise in some shape or form remains to be seen. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely, which is a shame because not only is the character still a fan-favorite, but she has so much potential.

But one thing’s for sure — the actress herself will “strike back” as Gina Carano v. The Walt Disney Company will reportedly begin later this year.

Are you a fan of the game “Disney Magic Kingdoms”? Would you like to see Cara Dune return in a more Star Wars-specific capacity? Maybe her own video game, or even own animated series? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Daniel

Dan is a huge fan of Star Wars, Disney, Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, TMNT and Harry Potter, and has written for numerous film-focused and Disney-related sites, including Epicstream, Theme Park Tourist and Homey Hawaii. He has also recently completed his first children's novel, which he hopes to get published within the next year.

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