The actor-director says it’s time for California to stop taking Hollywood for granted.
Ben Affleck has a message for Sacramento: California is losing its grip on the film industry it helped build—and incremental fixes won’t be enough to stop the bleeding.
Speaking at the premiere of The Accountant 2 in Hollywood last week, Affleck didn’t hold back. While acknowledging Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed expansion of California’s film and television tax credit—from $330 million to $750 million annually—Affleck warned that the plan still lacks the bite needed to compete globally.
“The current governor doubled the tax rebate amount in bulk available,” Affleck told the Associated Press, “but the percentage that you get back in terms of the actual budget doesn’t compete with places like England, which is why you see a lot of these big, huge movies shoot in the U.K.”
The numbers back him up. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, California once hosted nearly 45% of all U.S. motion picture production. Today, that figure is under 30%. The latest FilmLA report shows that Q1 2025 shoot days in Greater L.A. fell more than 22% year-over-year—marking one of the sharpest declines in recent history.
Competitive States, Uncapped Programs
Affleck cited Georgia, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, and even Massachusetts and Texas as states offering more competitive—and less restricted—production incentives. Georgia, for example, offers up to 30% in credits with no program cap, while California’s current system remains capped and often less accessible to mid-sized and independent productions.
“It’s really the technicians and the crew that make or break your movie,” said Affleck, who co-founded the production company Artists Equity. “If people move away, that really hurts the industry.”
What’s on the Table in California
California’s proposed legislation—SB 630 and AB 1138—would raise the annual cap to $750 million and allow certain productions in Los Angeles to qualify for rebates up to 35%, up from the current 20%. Additionally, a 5% uplift could be added for productions in economically disadvantaged areas, offering the California Film Commission some added flexibility.
Still, for producers navigating production budgets north of $100 million, the incentive math just doesn’t pencil out. That’s where states—and countries—with simpler, more generous rebate structures are pulling ahead.
Affleck’s Comments Come at a Pivotal Moment
The California legislature is slated to review the new bills in coming weeks, while the industry continues its post-strike rebuild. Affleck’s critique reflects broader concerns among industry leaders, many of whom are balancing rising costs, tighter windows, and the growing appeal of filming outside L.A.
Meanwhile, The Accountant 2—which opens April 25—is among the few mid-budget franchise films still shooting in California. It’s the type of project California risks losing entirely if incentives don’t evolve in step with the industry.
Bottom line: Affleck isn’t just promoting a movie—he’s sounding the alarm on California’s slow fade. And for lawmakers hoping to keep Hollywood anchored in Hollywood, the clock is ticking.
