Bob Iger Says Disney Might Leave Georgia Due to Anti-Abortion Legislation

The passage of several restrictive anti-abortion bills throughout the United States has ignited a flurry of controversy, with a number of politicians and media figures taking part in activism against such legislation and in favor of pro-choice causes. This week, another major figure emerged in the debate: Disney CEO Bob Iger, who raised the possibility of Disney leaving Georgia if its anti-abortion legislation becomes law.

According to Variety, when asked whether or not Disney would continue to work in Georgia following the legislation, Iger responded: “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.”

Atlanta, Georgia is one of the major hubs for film production in the United States, bolstered by the state’s generous 30% production tax incentive. A number of Disney properties, including Marvel’s Black Panther and four Marvel Disney+ series, have or plan to shoot in Georgia.

Iger’s comments make Disney the second major content corporation to remark on the anti-abortion law, following Netflix, whose chief content officer Ted Sarandos said that the company will likely “rethink” its presence in Georgia if the law passes, Variety says.

Other creators, including J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele, and Ron Howard, have advocated for continuing to work in Georgia but donating salaries and fees to the ACLU and local organizations.

In any case, it’s clear that there’s a significant overlap between the abortion debate and the entertainment industry--and creators are eager to show the power they have to effect a change.