The Walt Disney Corporation has declared war on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Disney, one of the biggest employers in the US state, has accused DeSantis of organising a campaign of "government retaliation" and filed a lawsuit against the smarmy politician.
The legal action escalates an ongoing battle between the entertainment group and the Republican politician, Travel Mole reports.
The two sides have been at odds since Disney chiefs criticised a state law banning discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in primary schools.
The lawsuit came after state officials voided a development deal involving the firm's Florida theme park.
There has been weeks of bad blood between DeSantis and the people behind Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck since Disney's public opposition to Florida’s "Don't Say Gay" law.
Disney said DeSantis' moves to assert control over its operations threatened its business and violated its constitutional rights.
It asked the court to negate the moves.
"Disney regrets it has come to this," the company's parks division said in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida.
"But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponise government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain state officials."
Disney opened Walt Disney World (above) in Florida in 1971 and now operates four theme parks in the Orlando precinct.
The legal action was filed after a board appointed by DeSantis voted to take away control from Disney for its resort areas in Orlando.
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