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Movie and TV studios 21st Century Fox, NBC Universal and Time
Warner joined Walt Disney, AMC, Viacom and Marvel Entertainment
in either opposing the bill, or saying they would take their
productions elsewhere.
Lured by tax incentives, more than 240 film and TV shows were
filmed in Georgia last year, bringing an estimated $1.7 billion
into the state. They included AMC's hit zombie TV series "The
Walking Dead," Disney's "Ant-Man" film and Lionsgate
Entertainment Corp's "Allegiant" movie.
The controversial bill, passed by the Georgia state legislature
last week, declares that no pastor can be forced to perform a
same-sex wedding. Faith-based groups could not be forced to hire
or retain an employee whose beliefs run counter to the
organization, while churches and religious schools would have
the right to reject holding events for people or groups to whom
they object.
Georgia's Republican Governor Nathan Deal has said he will not
sign a bill that allows discrimination. He has until May 3 to
decide whether or not to sign the measure into law.
The Weinstein Co said in a statement that it planned to film a
biopic of late comedian Richard Pryor in Georgia later this year
"but will move the production if this unlawful bill is enacted."
It called the measure "sanctioned bigotry."
Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and "Glee" creator Ryan
Murphy joined Hathaway and Moore in signing a petition addressed
to Deal expressing concern that the bill would "sanction
discrimination against LGBT people and others in Georgia."
"We will plan to take our business elsewhere if any legislation
sanctioning discrimination is signed into state law," said the
petition, organized by the gay rights organization, the Human
Rights Campaign.
The Human Rights Campaign noted that only California and New
York have a larger entertainment industry footprint than Georgia
and both those states have laws protecting against
discrimination.
The entertainment industry is the latest group to come out in
force against the Georgia law. More than 300 companies,
including Google, Coca-Cola, and Delta Air Lines have urged that
it be dropped. The NFL said last week that if the bill is
signed, Atlanta could lose the opportunity to host any future
Super Bowls.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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