Georgia’s politics, specifically the legislature’s passage of a recent anti-abortion bill, has put the state’s footing as the nation’s movie capital in jeopardy. The Georgia movie industry hangs in the balance.
Case in point: Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Bob Iger told Reuters this week that continuing to produce movies in Georgia would be “very difficult,” if the controversial law takes effect.
CEO says it’d be ‘difficult’ for Disney to produce movies in state
Disney has had a very successful run filming around Atlanta and the state over the past four years. With “Avengers” franchise and “Black Panther” filming here, the media company holds a lot of sway.
Many Hollywood stars voiced displeasure with Georgia politicians as the “heartbeat” bill gained momentum in the state House and Senate.
Iger is the highest movie executive who has spoke out against the bill. He has been in the news lately to talk up Disney’s new streaming service.
“I rather doubt we will,” he answered when asked by Reuters if Disney could stay in the state if the governor signs the bill. “I think many people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard. Right now we are watching it very carefully.”
The heartbeat bill states that a doctor can perform an abortion even after he or she can detect a fetal heartbeat. The law goes into effect January 1, if it isn’t defeated before then.
Georgia movie industry is red hot
Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.