Chris Hemsworth Shuts Down Production Company Amidst Financial Scrutiny
The Marvel star's company, Wild State, is closing after four years, with sources pointing to financial mismanagement and missed opportunities, including a potential Saudi-backed investment.
Actor Chris Hemsworth is closing his production company, Wild State, after four years in operation. The decision follows what sources familiar with the situation describe as a tumultuous period, culminating in the company's dissolution. Staffers were informed that they would be paid through the end of 2026, and the company's offices are slated to become vacant.
The closure of Wild State, which had a potential partnership backed by Saudi money, has reportedly perplexed industry insiders. Speculation has arisen regarding the reasons behind the shutdown, with some fingers pointing to co-founder Benjamin Grayson. Sources suggest Grayson paid himself a substantial salary with little to show in terms of developed projects.
Others attribute the company's struggles to CAA, Hemsworth's talent agency, and agent Ida Ziniti, for allegedly prioritizing Hemsworth's lucrative acting roles over his producing endeavors. This perspective suggests that the agency may have steered Hemsworth away from significant financial opportunities, such as a $3 million partnership offer from Erik Feig's Arena SNK Studios, a company reportedly backed by a $1 billion investment from Saudi Arabia.
Wild State's operational history includes a first-look deal with National Geographic for unscripted projects, building on a prior relationship that produced a shark documentary and the series "Limitless." In the subsequent year, the company entered a partnership with Artists Equity, founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. However, this deal expired without the emergence of any notable projects, and a source indicated Artists Equity may be hesitant to enter similar arrangements in the future.
Sources also suggest that around the release of Amazon's "Crime 101" in April, Wild State began seeking new backing. After encountering rejections from several studios, the company explored private equity and reportedly received a $3 million offer from SNK Studios. However, Hemsworth is said to have hesitated in finalizing the deal, leaving Wild State to unravel.
Concurrent with these developments, Hemsworth has reportedly been pursuing other ventures, including a stake in Archie Rose Distilling Co. and a potential eight-figure branding deal with a Fortune 500 company. Hemsworth is currently filming "Extraction 3" for Netflix, a franchise that has achieved significant viewership success. Both Hemsworth and Grayson are credited as producers on the upcoming film.
Representatives for Grayson and Hemsworth's publicist did not respond to requests for comment, and CAA declined to comment on the matter.