ANAHEIM, Calif. (CelebrityAccess) – Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Bob Iger told Reuters on Tuesday that Georgia’s strict new anti-abortion laws will make it difficult for the media giant to film in the state.
“I rather doubt we will,” Iger told Reuters in a recent interview when asked if Disney will continue to produce movies in the state. “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.”
Earlier this month, Georgia’s Republican governor signed into law a measure banning abortion after a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, which is typically about 6 weeks into a pregnancy and often before a woman knows she is pregnant.
Georgia is one of eight states to pass similar measures that all seem to be aimed at testing the landmark 1973 Supreme Court Decision Roe v. Wade that established women’s right to terminate a pregnancy.
Other major entertainment companies, including Netflix, NBCUniversal, WarnerMedia, Sony Pictures, CBS and Showtime have made similar statements about potential film and television production work in the state.
Georgia state officials have previously stated that the film and television industry supports more than 90,000 local jobs and is worth more than $2.7 billion in direct spending for the state’s economy.
