Disney CEO Says Filming in Georgia Could Be 'Difficult' With State's New Strict Abortion Law
An anti-abortion law passed and signed by the Georgia state government earlier this month could prevent a major player in the movie industry from filming in the Peach State until that law is repealed, or perhaps doesn't take effect at all.
Bob Iger, the chief executive of Walt Disney Co., told Reuters on Wednesday he felt it would be "very difficult" for his company to continue filming in Georgia in the wake of its newly-passed law that bans abortions after a heartbeat is detected in the fetus — which sometimes happens before the mother even knows she is pregnant.
Iger, while at the new "Star Wars" portion of Disneyland, was asked if Disney would continue its relationship with Georgia in light of the new law.
"I rather doubt we will," Iger said. "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."
Iger said that if the law, indeed, is enacted, then "I don't see how it's practical for us to continue to shoot there."
Georgia is one of many states that has passed stringent anti-abortion bills, including fellow southern states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Georgia law would take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
Netflix on Tuesday announced it would continue filming in Georgia for now, but that it would "rethink" its commitment to the state if the law goes into effect.
Georgia offers tax credits to bring TV and film productions to the state. The Motion Pictures Association of America says TV and film created more than 92,000 jobs in Georgia in 2017, and that 455 films were shot last year in the state, according to Reuters.
The report goes on to say that while other film industries have remained hush on the state's stance on abortion, actors and other key members — like producers and directors — have vocally stated they will not work in Georgia if the law goes into effect.
Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame are two of the more popular recent Disney movies that were filmed in Georgia.
