Cast member Paul Rudd (L) and comic book icon Stan Lee attend the premiere of the sci-fi motion picture "Ant-Man" at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on June 29, 2015. The action film was the first Marvel movie filmed at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayetteville. "Captain America: Civil War" was also shot at the studio. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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ATLANTA, March 24 (UPI) -- Disney and Marvel are threatening to take their filming business elsewhere if Georgia passes a controversial law the inclusive companies say is discriminatory and "anti-gay."
Called the Free Exercise Protection Act, or House Bill 757, the bill would legally protect faith-based companies and other entities that refuse to provide services that they claim violate their beliefs. If enacted, the legislation would act as a buffer for opponents of same-sex marriage who refuse service to gay and lesbian couples.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) has until May 3 to make his decision about whether or not to veto the act, which recently passed through Georgia legislature.
"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 said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Disney is the first Hollywood studio to threaten cutting business ties with the state over the bill. The threat comes amid filming of Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, which is taking place at Pinewood Studios.
Marvel's Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War were among the first big budget movies to be filmed in Georgia, which offers lucrative tax incentives for studios. Movies like Selma and Furious 7 were also filmed in the state.
Studios such as Sony, 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. have not commented on the controversial bill. The Los Angeles Times notes a handful of the companies declined to comment or did not respond to requests for interview.
The Motion Picture Association of America, which represents the studios, however posted a statement regarding the bill, saying, "We are confident that Governor Deal will not allow a discriminatory bill to become law in Georgia."
