Disney CEO says if abortion law takes effect, it would be 'very difficult' to film in Georgia

published 30 May 2019

If a strict new abortion law takes effect in Georgia next year, it would be "very difficult" for Disney to continue filming in the state, CEO 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," he said Wednesday. "Right now we are watching it very carefully." He added: "I don't see how it's practical for us to continue to shoot there." Georgia offers studios tax credits, and Disney recently filmed several blockbuster movies there, including Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther.

On May 7, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed into law a bill that effectively bans abortions after six weeks. The bill, which is being challenged in court, is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, and several actors, producers, and directors have already sent Kemp a letter saying they won't film in his state. On Tuesday, Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said should the ban go into effect, "we'd rethink our entire investment in Georgia."

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

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