#’Black Panther II’ will not leave Georgia despite voting laws

Director Ryan Coogler announced Friday that he will continue making the much-anticipated Marvel movie Black Panther II in Georgia despite the intense criticism over new voting restrictions enacted by the state government.

Coogler has condemned the voter integrity law signed into effect by Georgia governor Brian Kemp, but said he realized pulling production of the movie out of state would actually do more harm than good, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“As an African-American, and as a citizen, I oppose all attempts, explicit and otherwise, to shrink the electorate and reduce access to the ballot,” Coogler said.

Still, “when I was informed of the passage of SB202 in the state, and its ramifications for the state’s voters, I was profoundly disappointed,” he said of the law, which President Joe Biden has called “Jim Crow in the 21st century.”

Coogler will instead work to support local politicians, including Stacey Abrams and Jon Osoff, as well as several organizations that are fighting voter suppression, he said.

“I will encourage everyone working with me to tap in with the local community directly affected by Senate Bill 202,” says Coogler.

Some Hollywood big wigs feel differently.

Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua pulled their upcoming film Emancipation citing the new legislation.

Earlier this month both the MLB and the PGA pulled both the All-stars game and The Masters, also citing the laws