'Walking Dead' Network AMC Decries Georgia's 'Religious Liberty' Bill

ATLANTA, GA — Even the zombies are lining up to protest a proposed Georgia law that critics call anti-gay.

AMC, which airs and produces the primarily Georgia-lensed "The Walking Dead," has joined an entertainment-industry chorus calling for Gov. Nathan Deal to veto the so-called "Religious Freedom" bill that passed the Georgia legislature.

"As a company, AMC Networks believes that discrimination of any kind is reprehensible," the network said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "We applaud Governor Deal's leadership in resisting a previous version of this divisive legislation and urge him to reject the current version as well."

A breakout hit for AMC, "The Walking Dead" has filmed the majority of its six seasons in various locations around Georgia. After moving production briefly to Virginia, the series plans to return to Georgia to begin filming on its seventh season in May.

The statement came hours after Disney similarly blasted the bill in THR. Citing an unnamed Disney spokesman, the publication reported that Disney, and its Marvel Studios, would stop filming in Georgia if Deal signs the legislation into law.

Marvel has shot several blockbusters in the state, including "Ant-Man" and the forthcoming "Captain America: Civil War" and "Guardians of the Galaxy 2."

• Take the poll — Religious Freedom Act: Should Deal Sign or Not?

The AMC statement stops short of threatening to leave the state, but marks the latest in an overwhelming response from the film community, which, spurred by attractive tax incentives and a growing industry infrastructure, has become a multi-billion-dollar business in Georgia in recent years.

In July, Deal said the 248 film and television projects shot in Georgia during the state's last fiscal year directly spent $1.7 billion in the state and had an overall economic impact of more than $6 billion.

Also on Wednesday, Viacom -- parent company of Paramount, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1, Spike and MTV -- called on Deal to reject the bill.

"We have enjoyed doing business in Georgia for many years and we urge Governor Deal to continue to resist and reject the patently discriminatory laws being proposed," the company's statement reads.

Deal has until May 3 to decide whether to sign or veto the legislation, which was approved by both the Georgia House and Senate.

The bill would secure the rights of faith-based groups to refuse services or terminate employees based on sexual orientation.

In addition to providing cover for faith-based employers, the legislation states that no member of clergy may be forced to perform a same-sex marriage and that no individual may be required to attend one if it goes against their beliefs.

After some urging from Deal, the legislature walked back an earlier version of the legislation that went even further. He has called his decision on whether to sign the current version a difficult decision.

Others who have spoken out against the bill include Atlanta's three professional sports franchises -- the Braves, Falcons and Hawks -- and Georgia companies like Coca-Cola, Cox Enterprises, The Home Depot and UPS.

(Photo courtesy AMC.com)