Kristen Wiig’s upcoming comedy film is pulling out of production in Georgia in protest of the newly passed abortion restrictions in the state.
The Lionsgate film, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” appears to be the latest production to leave the state, following Amazon’s science fiction series “The Power.” Many companies in the entertainment industry have been being produced in the state due to a massive 30% tax rebate for film and TV production.
According to Variety, Wiig is a co-writer and star alongside Oscar nominee Mumolo in the film, which is produced by Gary Sanchez Productions.
The new restriction signed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp bans abortions in Georgia once a fetal heartbeat is detected.
“David Simon, creator of HBO’s ‘The Wire’ and ‘The Deuce,’ has also pledged to boycott the state, saying earlier this month that his production company Blown Deadline would no longer assess the state for locations. Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams, meanwhile, said that while they will still film their upcoming horror series ‘Lovecraft Country’ in the state, all proceeds from the show will be dedicated to fighting the law,” The Hill reports.
California lawmakers, clearly wanting their film business back, have introduced a bill to grant tax breaks to companies that move production back from states with strict abortion regulations.
If passed, Assembly Bill 1442 will begin granting tax credits to companies that opt not to shoot in states with “pending legislation or existing law that prohibits access to, criminalizes the provision of, or otherwise restricts a woman’s access to abortion services after 6 weeks from the beginning of the pregnancy or earlier.”
“A lot of the entertainment industry has relocated to Georgia because that state was very competitive in their own state film tax credit,” Democratic Assemblywoman Luz Rivas told CNBC. “We’re trying to further incentivize the entertainment industry that currently is filming in states with these strict abortion bans to come and do business in California and share our values.”
