Disney threatens to stop producing films in Georgia in protest at abortion laws

'People who work for us will not want to work there'

Jack Shepherd
Thursday 30 May 2019 08:09 BST
Comments

The CEO of the Walt Disney Company has said it would be "very difficult" for the company to continue working in Georgia if the state's controversial abortion laws come into effect.

“I rather doubt we will,” Bob Iger told Reuters. “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.”

Georgia is a prime location for filming movies and television shows thanks to its attractive tax incentives. Disney blockbusters Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame were both filmed in the state.

Disney marks the second film and television production company to threaten to stop working in Georgia if the so-called “heartbeat” abortion bill, which would criminalize the procedure and potentially send physicians to prison, goes in effect.

Netflix was the first, with Ted Sarandos, the company’s chief content officer, saying in a statement: “We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law.

“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 investment in Georgia.”

The industry is a major boon to the state and produced some $4.5bn in wages last year, and more than $9bn added to the economy last year total.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in