Kristen Wiig Comedy ‘Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar’ Pulls Out of Georgia Over ‘Heartbeat Bill’
A new comedy starring the “Bridesmaids” team of Kirsten 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.
A representative for Wiig 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 and is being distributed by Lionsgate.
A representative for Wiig, director Josh Greenbaum and for Lionsgate did not immediately respond to comment.
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The law, signed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, is designed to prevent abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which could be as early six weeks into pregnancy. The law does not go into effect until 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, that it would donate to ACLU of Georgia in opposition to the bill, and that 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.
Other production companies have boycotted production in the state altogether, including producers David Simon, Christine Vachon, Mark Duplass and Neal Dodson among them.
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