Actor Zachary Levi has described California as a “failed state” that is “literally and figuratively on fire,” explaining his decision to leave the state for Texas. Levi, known for lighter roles in projects like "Chuck" and the "Shazam!" franchise, sold his Los Angeles home in 2017 and purchased a 75-acre ranch outside Austin.
Levi stated that his departure was also driven by a desire to reform the entertainment industry. "Ever since I started working in Hollywood and I saw how broken it all was, I felt very compelled by God to go build a better Hollywood — like a new United Artists kind of studio — where it’s owned and operated by the artists, where we can cut out all the middlemen, where we all can do really well, build a community," he said during a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
He is now developing this vision with Wyldwood Studios, a $100 million film and lifestyle campus on his Texas property. The project is designed as a hybrid production hub and creative retreat, intended to include soundstages, production offices, housing, and wellness spaces. The first two soundstages are slated to open in 2027.
"I left behind a lot of community and family and perfect weather in Southern California, but when you weigh it all out — and you must — you have to come to these points in your life, and you go, 'Is all of that really worth the thing that I know I’m supposed to go build in the future to make a better world?'" Levi reflected. "And, to me, that calling on my life was more important."
Levi also discussed his role in the upcoming action thriller “The Fix,” starring alongside Liam Neeson. He described the film as a departure from his previous work, seeking a “gritty, darker” character. In the movie, Levi plays a former CIA operative involved in a high-stakes mission. "The Fix" is scheduled to premiere on September 11.
Director Guy Moshe praised Levi's suitability for the action role, noting his physical nature and outdoor lifestyle in Texas. Moshe also commented on Levi's intense performance, suggesting a depth not always seen in his previous family-friendly roles. Co-star Elnaaz Norouzi also commended Levi's acting, describing him as a “fantastic actor” and an “awesome” screen partner.