The fact is Georgia could be in a lot of trouble due to HB-481 or the “Heartbeat Abortion Bill” that would effectively illegalize abortions once a heartbeat is detected because Hollywood is furious.
Georgia welcomes hundreds of productions – including massive Marvel movies – every year and if the industry decides to move all of their movies and television shows out of the state then they will lose out on approximately $11.5 billion of local stimulus annually.
And Netflix just issued a veiled threat towards Georgia over the Heartbeat Abortion Bill.
When the “Heartbeat abortion bill” passed the Georgia House with 92 votes in late March, many famous actors (approximately 50) signed a pledge refusing to work in the state due to the controversial bill. Upon this passing, 50 actors and countless more filmmakers signed a petition saying they would refuse any work in Georgia if it was signed into law.
And it was all but a foregone conclusion because Governor Kemp noted after it passed, “Georgia values life. We stand up for the innocent and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. The legislature’s bold action reaffirms our priorities and who we are as a state. I thank these lawmakers for their leadership and applaud their undeniable courage.”
Gov. Kemp signed it into law recently. But it hasn’t taken into effect yet.
That’s why Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos told Fox News, “We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law. It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there — while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”
Make no mistake; that’s a veiled threat.
What they’re insinuating is that Gov. Kemp has one last chance or else.
But Gov. Kemp doesn’t seem to mind.
The Georgia governor recently appeared at a GOP convention where he said, “I understand that some folks don’t like this new law. I’m fine with that. We’re elected to do what’s right – and standing up for precious life is always the right thing to do. We are the party of freedom and opportunity. We value and protect innocent life — even though that makes C-list celebrities squawk.”
There are some things more valued than money and life is one of them.
Meanwhile, a variety of Netflix projects are produced in Georgia including the hit thriller “Ozark” starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. They’re also shooting “The Liberator,” “Christmas on the Square,” “Holidate” and Season 2 of “Insatiable.”
But it’s not just Netflix.
Kristen Wiig and director Reed Morano both relocated projects that were originally slated to film in Atlanta.
Morano told Time that she’s pulling Amazon’s series “The Power” from shooting in the state, explaining, “We had no problem stopping the entire process instantly. There is no way we would ever bring our money to that state by shooting there.”
But they won’t shame two of Hollywood’s biggest power players, Jordan Peele (director of “Get Out” and “Us”) and JJ Abrams (director of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Trek”), who have announced their joint HBO production will continue filming in the state despite the heartbeat bill.
It looks like the Heartbeat Bill going into law is already a done deal. They only chance Hollywood has is if the courts decide it’s unconstitutional.