Disney, Netflix, Warner to Leave Georgia If Abortion Ban Passes

Disney, Netflix, and WarnerMedia are threatening to take their business out of Georgia to protest the state’s new abortion bill.

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Earlier this month, Georgia became the fourth U.S. state this year to outlaw abortion once a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, which abortion-rights advocates vowed to challenge in court.

Opponents called the legislation a virtual ban because fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks, before a woman may be aware she is pregnant.

The three entertainment giants say their employees may not want to work in that state if the abortion bill is implemented. Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger told Reuters it would be “very difficult” to continue filming.

“I rather doubt we will,” Iger said in an interview ahead of the dedication for a new “Star Wars” section at Disneyland. “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.”

If the law takes effect, “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there,” he added.

Disney has filmed blockbuster movies in Georgia such as “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Endgame,” and it would be a blow to the state’s efforts to create production jobs if the entertainment giant stopped filming there.

On Tuesday, Netflix Inc. and WarnerMedia said they would reconsider its film and television production investment in Georgia if the law goes into effect.

In the meantime, Netflix will continue production there for now and work with groups that are fighting the law in U.S. courts.

In March, a score of Hollywood stars, including Alyssa Milano, Alec Baldwin, Don Cheadle, Ben Stiller, Mia Farrow, and Amy Schumer, threatened to refuse to work in Georgia if it adopted the new abortion restrictions.