A-List Actors Vow Not to Work in Georgia Due to Abortion Bill
Last year’s confirmation of right-leaning judge, Brett Kavanaugh, has led many red state’s to pursue new anti-abortion legislation. Georgia became one of these states this week when Governor Brian Kemp signed a heartbeat abortion bill into law.
Georgia has long been a popular location for the filming of television shows and movies. That status is now endangered as a number of production companies and actors have vowed not to work in the state while the law exists.
One of the production companies vowing to boycott Georgia is Blown Deadline Productions. The company is run by David Simon who is known for shows like The Wire, Treme and The Deuce. The creator tweeted, “I’m sorry, but there is no conceivable way that I can, as an employer, ethically ask any of my female colleagues to work in a jurisdiction that limits their health care options and impairs their civil liberties. It isn’t possible.”
I'm sorry, but there is no conceivable way that I can, as an employer, ethically ask any of my female colleagues to work in a jurisdiction that limits their health care options and impairs their civil liberties. It isn't possible. https://t.co/YxGCAfXC45
— David Simon (@AoDespair) May 10, 2019
Other productions companies threatening to join in on the boycott include Duplass Brothers Production and Color Force who recently made the hit film, Crazy Rich Asians.
Over 100 actors also pledged to avoid working in Georgia while the law stands. The list includes such prominent figures as Jessica Chastain, Natalie Portman, Alec Baldwin and Laura Dern.
A number of hit Marvel movies have also been filmed in Georgia. That may become difficult in the future as MCU stars, Brie Larson, Don Cheadle, Tessa Thompson and Mark Ruffalo have joined the boycott.
There is precedent for successful Hollywood boycotts stopping unpopular laws in the state of Georgia. An anti-gay 2016 religious freedom bill was vetoed after actors and producers vowed to pull projects out of the state.