While Disney has always been a powerhouse of entertainment, the past decade has seen the company become even more massive in scope. With the acquisition of Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney has had the ability to grow and make even more money at the box office. The MCU has found its home in Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, although recent legislation in the state may result in production pivoting to a different location.
Tons of TV and film projects regularly film in Georgia, as the tax breaks allow production to save some much needed funds during the shooting process. The state recently introduced a potential new law that would essentially ban abortions, and make it a felony for any doctors to go forth with the procedure. Its a decision that has caused some production companies and actors to speak out against working within state lines, and now Disney CEO Bob Iger has revealed that the House of Mouse may pull out of its Atlanta home. When he was asked if they'd stay in the city's Pinewood location, Iger 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.
Well, that's quite the definitive statement to Reuters. Moviemaking is ultimately about making money, and filming within the state lines of Georgia allow for budgets to be stretched. While Disney is obviously focused on making a profit on its countless blockbusters, it seems that Bob Iger and company are going to listen to the concerns of their employees when it comes to the state's new abortion legislation.
When Georgia's elected officials first introduced the potential new ban on abortion, there were calls from the filmmaking community to pull productions from the state. Because while movies and TV benefit from the tax cuts that are available, the money spent on making projects like Avengers: Endgame and shows like Stranger Things also funnel large funds of money into the state. Plus, plenty of locals are hired for the cast/crew, adding jobs to the local economy as well.
This seems to be the leverage that filmmakers are hoping to use against the abortion law's potential passing in the state. A few projects have already pulled out of Georgia, but Disney's possible inclusion would be a major development. On top of the massive amount of money the studio puts into its Marvel blockbusters, it's also possible that other major studios would follow suit. After all, Disney has been known to start trends in the filmmaking world.
As of now, nothing is official in regards to Georgia's new ban on abortion, and the affect that might have on Disney's upcoming blockbusters. But CinemaBlend will be sure to monitor the situation as it unfolds. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
