Disney CEO threatens to withdraw productions in Georgia after ban on abortion

Bob Iger, CEO of Bob Iger, said Disney could stop shooting movies and TV shows in Georgia if the controversial new law on abortion took effect Reuters aujourd & # 39; hui.

Iger was asked by Reuters about the company's intention to continue filming some of its biggest films in Georgia after the abortion ban prevents women from undergoing surgery as soon as the doctor finds a fetus's heartbeat . This is a controversial ban – especially if heartbeat detection can occur as early as six weeks of pregnancy, when women may not even know they are pregnant.

Losing Disney would be a blow to the annual income from the Georgia tax credit it would have earned by allowing studios to film in different locations. Disney is one of the largest of these studios, having shot some of his greatest Marvel films in Georgia, including Black Panther, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: war in the infinite. These productions have helped Georgia generate direct spending of nearly $ 2.7 billion in the state in 2017, according to the governor's office.

This annual windfall could soon begin to fall dramatically. Iger said Reuters it would be "very difficult" to continue shooting in Georgia, adding that he did not think that they would continue if the law came into effect on January 1, 2020. "I think a lot of people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to consider their wishes in this regard, "said Iger Reuters. "Right now, we are watching it very carefully."

Disney is not the only company to threaten to stop running in Georgia if the law is pbaded. Netflix content manager Ted Sarandos said the company would "rethink all of our investment in Georgia" if the law comes into force.

"We have a lot of women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, as well as millions of others, will be severely limited by this law," Sarandos said in a statement. Variety earlier this week. "Since the legislation has not yet been implemented, we will continue filming there while supporting partners and artists who choose not to do so."

Both companies spend a lot of time in Georgia. Netflix pulls Strange things and movies like the next Holidate Disney is also considering using Georgia for some Disney + shows, like the new Kristin Bell series Bis.