Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger says the ginormous entertainment conglomerate will likely bail on Georgia if its new anti-abortion law takes effect.
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Georgia governor Brian Kemp signed into law a “heartbeat bill” on May 7, banning an abortion after a doctor is able to detect a fetal heartbeat in the womb, which is at about six weeks and before many women even know they’re pregnant. Unless knocked back, the law is set to go into effect in January 2020.
Speaking at the opening of Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park on Wednesday, Iger told Reuters that it would be “very difficult” to continue filming in Georgia under such archaic laws.
Disney has shot a number of huge films in Georgia like Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame. Variety reports four new Marvel series are expected to shoot there.
“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.
He added if the law does come into effect: “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there.”
Disney’s decision comes after Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said the streaming giant would “rethink” working in Georgia if the law goes into effect.
“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” he told Variety.
“It’s why we will work with the ACLU 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.”
Netflix has filmed a bunch of projects in Georgia including Stranger Things.
