A new comedy starring the “Bridesmaids” team of Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” has pulled out of filming in the state of Georgia in protest of the anti-abortion “heartbeat bill” recently signed into law, an individual close to the production told TheWrap.
A representative for Wiig also told Time Magazine that the film pulled out of the state after the bill’s signing. Wiig and Mumolo are co-writing, and the film is produced by Jessica Elbaum of Gloria Sanchez Productions, with Lionsgate distributing.
The law, signed by Georgia governor Brian Kemp, is designed to prevent abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which could be as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The law will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020, unless it is blocked in the courts. Legal challenges are expected.
Last week Imagine Entertainment announced that filming for its Netflix film “Hillbilly Elegy” would remain in the state, but the company would donate to ACLU of Georgia in opposition to the bill, and Imagine would consider a boycott if the law were to take effect.
Similarly, producers Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping of the Fox film trilogy “Fear Street” and the TV series “P-Valley” said the productions would remain in the state, but that the producers would be making a “significant donation” to ACLU.
Others have boycotted production in the state altogether, including producers David Simon, Christine Vachon, Mark Duplass and Neal Dodson.