Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger says he doesn’t see how the multi-billion dollar studio could continue filming in Georgia if the state’s new restrictive abortion law is upheld.
Iger, who took over as CEO of the Walt Disney Company in 2005, spoke about the effects of the new law in aninterview withReuterson Wednesday night. Iger was in Disneyland in Anaheim, California for the opening of the newStar Wars-themed area,Galaxy’s Edge, alongside stars Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford.
The CEO said the studio would rethink filming in Georgia if the new law, proposing to ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected, comes into effect.
“I think if it becomes law, it’ll be very difficult to produce there,” Iger said. “I rather doubt we will. I think many people who work for us will not want to work there and we’ll have to heed their wishes in that regard.”
He continued, “Right now we’re watching it very carefully, there’s some speculation it could be enacted sometime after the first of the year. I think it’s also likely to be challenged in the courts and that could delay it. We’re being careful and cautious about it, but if it becomes law, I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there.”
Disney shoots the majority of its films in the Atlanta area, including the highly-lucrative Marvel films likeAvengers: Endgame,which is currently climbing towardsAvatar’s record as the highest grossing film of all time.
Bob Iger.Steven Ferdman/Patrick McMullan/Getty
While it’s not yet clear if it will hold up to legal challenges, the May 7 law has had many in Hollywood protesting the measure, which is set to take effect Jan. 1.
The day before Iger gave the interview, Netflix chief Ted Sarandos released a statement vowing to join the fight against the bill.
Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri also have similar heartbeat bills, but Georgia is the home to a lot of Hollywood productions.
The industry generated a reported $9.5 billion in “total economic impact” for the state in 2018, pertheAtlanta Journal-Constitution.
source: people.com
