Georgia abortion law: Disney threatens to stop filming in US state if controversial ruling passes

Pro-abortion rights activists protest at the Supreme Court in Washington
EPA
Megan White30 May 2019

Disney’s Chief Executive has said the company could stop filming in Georgia if the state’s new abortion law takes effect.

Bob Iger said it would be "very difficult" for them to keep filming in the state because many people will not want to work there.

Disney has filmed blockbuster movies such as Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame in Georgia, and it would be a blow to the state's efforts to create production jobs if the entertainment giant stopped filming there.

Georgia's Republican governor signed into law on May 7 a ban on abortion after a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat - about six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.

Walt Disney Co Chairman Bob Iger addresses the crowd during a dedication ceremony for the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge attraction
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

The law is due to take effect on January 1, if it survives court challenges.

Mr Iger was asked whether Disney would continue to work in Georgia during an interview ahead of the dedication for a new Star Wars section at their Anaheim park.

He said: “I rather doubt we will. 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."

He added that if the law takes effect "I don't see how it's practical for us to continue to shoot there.”

A woman speaks during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building on May 21
Getty Images

Georgia is one of eight states to pass anti-abortion legislation this year for the purpose of inducing the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark case that established a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy.

The state offers a tax credit that has lured many film and TV productions.

The industry is responsible for more than 92,000 jobs in Georgia, according to the Motion Picture Association of America, and 455 productions were shot in Georgia in 2018, according to the state.

Some actors and producers have already said they will no longer work in Georgia because of the abortion law, but many of the large production companies have remained publicly silent.

On Tuesday, Netflix said the streaming service would "rethink" its film and television production investment in Georgia if the law goes into effect.

In the meantime, Netflix will continue production there for now and work with groups that are fighting the law in U.S. courts.

Chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, said Netflix had many women working on productions in Georgia and their rights would be restricted by the new law.

He said: “It’s why we will work with the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and others to fight it in court.

“Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there - while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to.

“Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”

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