Disney and Marvel to boycott Georgia if 'anti-gay' bill is passed

'We will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law'

(Marvel)

The Walt Disney Co. and Marvel Studios plan to boycott the US state of Georgia if a religious liberty bill widely deemed as 'anti-gay' is passed.

The legislation allows faith-based organisations to deny services to those who violate their "sincerely held religious belief" and preserves their right to fire employees who fail to accord with such beliefs. The controversial bill has received an enormous backlash, labelled by many as an open door to legally-sanctified discrimination by local businesses.

Variety reports the company intends to take dealings elsewhere "should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law." It's a move which may have surprisingly large repercussions on the local economy; Georgia has become a hub for film and television production thanks to generous tax incentives, hosting the likes of The Walking Dead and several of Marvel's own blockbuster productions.

Captain America: Civil War was shot in the state last summer, with production currently taking place there for Guardians of the Galaxy 2; filming at Pinewood Studios just outside of Atlanta.

"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 stated.

The decisive move follows the MPAA, which represents major studios, already condemning the legislation as "discriminatory"; and it'll yet to be seen if other production companies follow Disney's suit.