Where’s Trump? Disney Marvel Ditches Georgia for U.K., Killing Local Jobs

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As a cinephile and movie critic, I must admit that I’ve been eagerly awaiting President Trump’s vision for Hollywood’s resurgence, dubbed as “making Hollywood great again.” However, recent news from the Wall Street Journal has cast a shadow on this aspiration, as Disney Marvel – one of the region’s most prominent players in the “Hollywood of the South” – has decided to vacate its premises. This departure raises questions about the industry’s future prospects and whether Trump’s promised revitalization is still within reach.

The report states that Disney’s Marvel Studios has decided to halt filming in Georgia, effectively leaving a state where they have been instrumental in building a powerful film production industry over the past ten years.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Marvel is planning to move its upcoming movie lineup, which features projects like “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, the next “Spider-Man” film, and two new “Avengers” productions, to the United Kingdom. This shift is due to the country’s lower labor costs and comparable tax incentives that make production more cost-effective.

The appeal of tax breaks enticed film studios to contribute to creating the ‘Hollywood of the South.’ However, now they are heading overseas due to lower wage expenses, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Georgia’s Film Industry Hit Hard

Over a prolonged period, Georgia has been a magnet for significant Hollywood productions due to its appealing state tax incentives, earning it the nickname “the Hollywood of the South.” Marvel, in particular, filmed close to two dozen movies and series in Atlanta’s region, contributing billions to the local economy.

It seems that the growth period in film production in Georgia might have come to an end. According to WJS, the spending on film productions in Georgia has decreased by almost half over the past three years, with the number of projects dropping from 412 in fiscal 2022 to only 245 in the period ending June 2025. Although industry-wide cost-cutting measures play a part, the main reason for this shift seems to be financial, as moving productions abroad is primarily motivated by savings.

Due to lower costs in the UK, filming is now more economical compared to Georgia. This is because the UK offers a tax credit that is comparable to Georgia’s, yet labor costs are generally lower, and studios don’t bear the burden of employees’ healthcare expenses.

Marvel Joins the Overseas Exodus

It’s worth mentioning that Marvel isn’t the only film company utilizing British facilities for production. For instance, Universal produced “Wicked” in the U.K., and “Barbie” was filmed at the same studio now being used by Marvel. Disney has a long-term lease on a significant studio located outside London, which makes it relatively easy to move productions there, and given no changes, this transition could very well become permanent.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed an interesting shift between the U.S. and the U.K. this year. While Hollywood is seeing a dip in big-budget film productions, with 29% fewer movies starting production in 2023 compared to last year, the UK is experiencing a surge. Production numbers in the UK have actually increased by 16%. It’s fascinating to see how these trends are unfolding!

It’s an absolute bloodbath: No recovery in sight

Reddit user RedditAdminsAreStans responded to WSJ’s report on r/movies:

For more than 15 years, I’ve been working in film production down south. I wrapped up my last project in May and transitioned into a traditional job. The movie industry is brutal right now, particularly for my colleagues in New Orleans. Over a dozen of my fellow crew members have had to relocate and change their local union just to follow the incentives, yet they’re still battling to find steady work. Most others have left the business like I did.

Many individuals might not fully grasp that employment in the film industry is not just another typical job. Instead, each production represents a contract, and you often need to compete with other professionals or companies to secure these contracts before they are offered. When it comes to these jobs, you’re frequently required to negotiate your hourly wage against competing bids, as well as the cost of renting equipment – this is an aspect that needs to be addressed for every job opportunity.

Following the strikes, a downward spiral ensued, characterized by significant decreases in hourly wages and weekly rental rates for both labor and equipment. The reduction in labor costs can reach as much as $17 per hour for the same job, while rental rates for similar gear have dropped by over $1000 per week. Consequently, even though work is available, earnings have significantly decreased. Unfortunately, it appears that the film industry is experiencing a serious downturn with no signs of recovery on the horizon.

Where’s Trump in All This?

Trump has spoken out on Hollywood outsourcing.

In May, Trump suggested imposing a 100% tax on films produced outside the U.S., labeling foreign-made movies as a potential danger to the American film industry. This proposition, which took many in Hollywood by surprise, appeared to be designed to deter studios from acquiring content originating overseas.

Although Trump’s tariffs are aimed at foreign-made content entering the U.S., they don’t specifically affect Hollywood productions moving to countries like the UK for cheaper labor costs, such as Disney and Marvel films shooting outside of London. This implies that American jobs in states like Georgia may not be directly impacted by Trump’s policies (unless there are other factors involved).

In simpler terms, Donald Trump hasn’t publicly spoken about Marvel leaving Georgia or the broader decline of Georgia’s film industry (often referred to as “Hollywood of the South”). However, it’s important to mention that Georgia voted for Trump in the 2024 election after supporting Biden in 2020. This suggests a significant number of Georgians continue to support Trump’s political platform.

Perhaps Trump is strategically positioning himself, allowing the Hollywood elite to move to the UK, and then focusing on enhancing Georgia’s prosperity, this time free from the previous burdens.

In January 2025, Trump named Mel Gibson, Jon Voight, and Sylvester Stallone as his “special representatives” in Hollywood, often referring to them as his “informants.” Their role includes assisting in rejuvenating film production within the United States.

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2025-08-17 20:03