Hollywood
‘Furious 7’ production generated $47 million for Georgia’s economy
MUMBAI: The production of Universal Pictures’ Furious 7 contributed over $47 million to Georgia’s economy in payments to local businesses and workers, according to new data released.
The movie opened in theaters on 3 April. The economic impact figures also detail that the production hired 7,500 local Georgians.
Universal Pictures’ Furious 7 is the latest high-profile film to call Georgia home during production, benefiting a wide-array of local businesses across a number economic sectors. The overall spend for Furious 7 includes over $15 million for hotels and nearly $5 million for hardware and lumber supplies. In particular, the production built a number of interior sets along with exterior green-screen sets in Norcross, Georgia. This includes sets used to shoot scenes taking place at an opulent Abu Dhabi penthouse, a cement factory, federal law enforcement headquarters, and even scenes featuring a stealth helicopter.
“The entertainment industry in Georgia has experienced exceptional growth, which in turn has created a sustainable environment for the industry to continue to thrive here. Offering a pro-business environment with competitive incentives and investing in our workforce are just two of the ways that Governor Deal and the Georgia legislature have committed to the growth of the entertainment industry,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr.
“The highly-skilled local crew and competitive production climate make Georgia an attractive filming location, allowing the local businesses and workers to reap significant economic benefits. The continued support and leadership of Governor Deal and the state’s lawmakers on this issue has truly enabled Georgia’s motion picture and TV industry to flourish,” said MPAA chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd.
Key economic impact figures from the production of Furious 7 in Georgia:
– Spent over $47 million dollars towards local businesses and wages
– Hired over 7,500 local Georgians
– Paid over $15 million on hotels and nearly $5 million on hardware and lumber supplies.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
