Netflix and Disney have threatened to remove their business from the US state of Georgia after the Governor signed into law a Bill protecting the unborn from six weeks.
Prior to the law being passed, fifty Hollywood actors, including Sean Penn, Alec Baldwin and Ben Stiller, called on production companies to boycott the state and said they would not work there if the law came into force.
The state was used for filming 455 productions last year, and the industry brings around 92,000 jobs to the area.
“sticking up for our Georgia values”Governor Brian Kemp
Rethink
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos warned the entertainment giant would “rethink our entire investment” and fight the law alongside the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
In an interview, Disney’s Chief Executive Bob Iger was asked if the company, which recently filmed box-office hits Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame in the state, would continue to film there.
He said: “I rather doubt we will. 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.”
He added that if the law takes effect, “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there”.
Protecting life
Governor Brian Kemp responded to the threats in an open letter, saying: “I do not think it will hurt the film industry in Georgia or any other business whatsoever. Us sticking up for our Georgia values and protecting life is not going to create a bad business environment in Georgia, I can promise you.”
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children commented: “whether actively opposing a law that protects human life goes down well with Netflix’s millions of subscribers remains to be seen”.