Marvel studios and its parent, the Walt Disney Co., said they will stop filming in Georgia if the state approves a bill that critics say would legalize LGBT discrimination.
House Bill 757 is a “religious liberty” law similar to the controversial one passed in Indiana during spring 2015 that caused a massive uproar from the LGBT community.
Supporters of the laws say it protects against forcing someone into violating their religious beliefs, while detractors call them a thinly veiled, legal smokescreen for discriminating against a person based on their sexuality.
Georgia’s potential new law drew Marvel’s and Disney’s attention because they have been using the Pinewood Studios compound outside Atlanta to shoot high-profile movies such as “Ant-Man.” The lot was also used to film the upcoming “Captain America: Civil War” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2.”
The Peach State is a prime Hollywood shooting location because of production incentives and tax credits that benefit Georgia and film studios. Even so, Disney has vowed to stop making movies in Georgia if the bill is passed into law. Several shows for ABC Studios, which Disney also owns, also are shot in Georgia.
“Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law,” a Disney spokesman told Entertainment Weekly.
The bill has been approved by Georgia’s legislature and is on the desk of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal waiting for either a signature into law or a veto. He has until May 3 to make a decision.
The Motion Picture Association of America also voiced its displeasure toward the bill, but has faith that Georgia will do what it perceives as the right thing.
“We are confident that Gov. Deal will not allow a discriminatory bill to become law in Georgia,” Vans Stevenson, the association’s senior vice president of state government affairs, told Variety.
