The Walt Disney Company will likely end film production in Georgia if a harsh new anti-abortion law takes effect, says CEO Bob Iger.
“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 in an interview with the Reuters news agency at Disneyland in Anaheim CA.
The abortion ban was signed into law earlier this month by the state’s Republican governor. If it is implemented on Jan. 1 as planned, Iger said, “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there.”
Georgia’s law bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected — typically about six weeks into a pregnancy, often before a woman knows she’s pregnant. Georgia is one of eight states to pass anti-abortion legislation explicitly aimed at overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ’s 1973 abortion-rights decision.
Disney’s departure would be a significant blow to Georgia’s economy. The studio has filmed some of its major blockbusters there, including “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Overall, more than 450 film and TV productions were shot in Georgia last year alone, according to the state.
“Some actors and producers have already said they will no longer work in Georgia because of the abortion law,” says Reuters, “but many of the large production companies have remained publicly silent on the abortion law.”