Zachary Levi Says Texas Offers Freedom He Could Not Find in California

Key Points

• Actor Zachary Levi says Texas offers him greater personal freedom and a closer alignment with his values than California, where he previously lived and worked in Hollywood.
• Levi moved from Los Angeles to a ranch outside Austin in 2017, citing concerns about California and the opportunities available in Texas.
• The Shazam! and Chuck actor is developing Wyldwood Studios, a proposed $100 million film and lifestyle campus on his 75-acre property in Bastrop County, Texas.
• The project is intended to combine film production facilities with housing, wellness spaces and community amenities, with its first two soundstages expected to open in 2027.
• Levi says he wants to create an artist-owned production environment that offers an alternative to the traditional Hollywood studio system.
• His latest film, Angel and the Badman, is a remake of the 1947 Western starring John Wayne, with Levi playing outlaw Quirt Evans.
• Co-stars Neal McDonough and director Julio Quintana say the film explores redemption, personal responsibility and the consequences of public mistakes.
• McDonough also discusses his decision to stop drinking alcohol in 2016 and how his personal experiences inform his interest in stories about redemption.
• The project places Levi’s views on personal liberty alongside his ambitions to develop a new production base in Texas, although the long-term commercial impact of the studio remains to be seen.

Edition Online (EO) October 9, 2026 – Actor Zachary Levi has explained why he believes Texas provides the personal liberty, financial advantages and creative opportunities he struggled to find in California. Speaking to Fox News Digital alongside the cast and director of his new Western film, Angel and the Badman, Levi reflected on his 2017 move from Los Angeles to a ranch outside Austin. He is now developing Wyldwood Studios, a proposed $100 million film and lifestyle campus in Bastrop County, with its first two soundstages expected to open in 2027. His plans combine a criticism of the traditional Hollywood production model with an ambition to build a community in which artists can work, live and develop creative projects.

Why Does Zachary Levi Believe Texas Offers More Freedom Than California?

Levi’s decision to leave California was influenced by his views on the state’s challenges, his personal values and his desire to pursue a different approach to filmmaking. Although he described California as beautiful and said he continued to love the state, he argued that its problems had become increasingly difficult to overlook.

During his interview with Fox News Digital, the actor said Texas was a more comfortable place to live than several other locations where he had previously resided. He also said the state’s values were more closely aligned with his own.

Levi explained that the absence of a state individual income tax in Texas was another advantage. He connected that financial consideration with a broader sense of independence, particularly his ability to acquire land and develop a film studio.

The actor said he appreciated having the freedom to pursue projects that reflected his ambitions, rather than feeling constrained by the practical difficulties he associated with California.

He used the example of Walt Disney attempting to establish Disneyland in California under present-day circumstances, suggesting that such a project would face substantial obstacles. His comparison reflected his belief that large-scale creative developments should be achievable without excessive barriers.

Levi’s remarks represent his personal assessment of the differences between the two states. They do not establish that every individual or film company would experience the same advantages by relocating to Texas.

His move also involved more than a change of residence. By purchasing a ranch outside Austin in 2017, he acquired the land that would eventually become central to his ambitions for Wyldwood Studios.

The project provides a practical expression of his stated preference for greater independence, combining property development with a proposed alternative to the conventional Hollywood production environment.

How Does Wyldwood Studios Reflect Levi’s Plans to Change Hollywood?

Wyldwood Studios is at the centre of Levi’s long-term plans to establish a different model for film production.

According to the project details discussed in the Fox News Digital interview, the development is planned for a 75-acre property in Bastrop County, outside Austin. The proposed investment is approximately $100 million, and the development is expected to progress in several phases.

The campus is designed to bring together traditional film production facilities and amenities intended to support a wider creative community.

Its planned facilities include soundstages and production offices, alongside residential accommodation and wellness spaces. Levi has also described a broader vision that includes a school for children, an organic farm and other community facilities.

The intention is to create an environment in which filmmaking is not separated from everyday life. Instead of treating a studio simply as a workplace, Levi wants the site to provide opportunities for artists and their families to establish a community around their professional activities.

The first two soundstages are expected to open in 2027. That timetable is a projected milestone rather than confirmation that the entire development will be operational by that date.

The project’s eventual scale and success will depend on its development, financing, production activity and ability to attract filmmakers and other creative professionals.

Levi’s plans also reflect his criticism of the established entertainment industry. He told Fox News Digital that his experience working in Hollywood had convinced him that the system needed to be reconsidered.

He said he felt compelled by his faith to build what he described as a better version of Hollywood, drawing a comparison with United Artists, the historic film studio associated with greater creative control for its founders.

His proposed model would be owned and operated by artists, reducing the number of intermediaries involved in the production process. He believes that this structure could allow creative professionals to work more directly together and share in the benefits of their projects.

The idea is ambitious, but the extent to which Wyldwood will achieve that objective remains to be demonstrated. Its opening soundstages will provide an early indication of how the concept translates into an operating production facility.

What Does Levi Want to Change About the Traditional Film Industry?

Levi’s criticism focuses on the way creative projects are developed, financed and managed within the established entertainment business.

His comments suggest that he wants filmmakers to have greater influence over the projects they create and the organisations responsible for producing them.

The actor has argued that a production company can become more effective when artists have greater ownership and when the structure is designed to support collaboration rather than relying heavily on intermediaries.

His plans for Wyldwood extend that approach beyond production arrangements. By proposing accommodation, wellness facilities and community amenities, he is seeking to create a setting where professional and personal life can exist alongside each other.

That vision may appeal to filmmakers who value independence or want alternatives to established production centres. However, the project will still need to meet the practical requirements of the entertainment business, including production budgets, staffing, equipment, scheduling and the ability to secure work.

A studio can provide facilities and a distinctive working environment, but those features alone cannot guarantee a consistent pipeline of films or commercial returns.

The development’s success will therefore depend on whether it can attract projects and establish lasting relationships with filmmakers, production companies and other industry participants.

Levi’s comments also come amid wider efforts to expand film production in Texas. The state has sought to attract more productions, while communities outside Austin have pursued developments intended to support film and television activity.

Wyldwood is one example of this broader interest in building production infrastructure beyond established centres such as Los Angeles.

Nevertheless, Levi’s proposed artist-led model remains his own vision. The development’s actual ownership arrangements, operating structure and performance will determine how closely the completed project reflects his stated ambitions.

What Is Wyldwood Studios Expected to Offer Filmmakers and Creative Professionals?

The planned campus is intended to combine production infrastructure with facilities that support the people working in the entertainment industry.

Its soundstages and production offices would provide space for filming and associated work. The residential and wellness elements are intended to offer additional options for people working on productions or participating in the wider creative community.

Levi has described a place where people could live, where children could attend school and where an organic farm could form part of the wider environment.

These ideas distinguish the proposal from a conventional studio facility focused primarily on providing space and equipment for productions.

A development that combines accommodation, workplaces and shared amenities could offer practical benefits for some productions, particularly where cast and crew need to remain near filming locations for extended periods.

However, the extent of those benefits will depend on the facilities actually delivered and the needs of the people using them.

The project’s first two soundstages, scheduled to open in 2027, represent the clearest near-term milestone. Subsequent phases will determine how much of the wider lifestyle and community concept becomes operational.

For now, Wyldwood remains a development in progress, and its planned facilities should not be confused with amenities that are already fully available.

What Is Zachary Levi’s New Western Film, Angel and the Badman, About?

While developing his Texas studio project, Levi is also starring in Angel and the Badman, a remake of the 1947 Western that featured John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey and Bruce Cabot.

The new film, produced by Angel Studios, revisits a story centred on violence, mercy and the possibility of personal change.

According to the film’s official synopsis, outlaw Quirt Evans arrives on a ranch with a bullet wound in his back. Expecting to die, he instead encounters Penny, the rancher’s daughter, who offers him kindness and the possibility of a life beyond violence.

The situation becomes more complicated as the marshal closes in and an outlaw gang threatens the ranch. Quirt must decide whether to continue living according to his violent past or attempt to become a different person.

Levi plays Quirt Evans, the character portrayed by Wayne in the original film. Meg Fraser plays Penny, while Neal McDonough portrays the marshal. Tommy Lee Jones also appears as Laredo, the leader of the outlaw gang.

The remake uses the familiar structure of a Western while placing particular emphasis on redemption and the consequences of personal choices.

For Levi, the genre offers an opportunity to explore themes that can reach audiences beyond a specific historical setting.

In comments to Fox News Digital, he said he valued redemption stories because they address a recognisable human experience. He also highlighted the Western’s ability to combine action, adventure, romance, drama, comedy and emotional storytelling.

Levi’s explanation suggests that the film is intended to offer entertainment while encouraging viewers to consider the possibility of personal change.

Why Does Neal McDonough Believe Redemption Stories Matter to Young People?

McDonough believes Angel and the Badman offers a message that may be particularly relevant to younger audiences navigating modern media and questions about role models.

During the Fox News Digital interview, he questioned which public figures young people now regard as heroes, pointing to the influence of social media and the constant stream of information available online.

He argued that the Western’s straightforward moral structure could help viewers understand the consequences of wrongdoing and the importance of trying to do what is right.

In his interpretation, the story shows that people can move beyond harmful behaviour, accept responsibility and make better choices.

McDonough also suggested that stories in which wrongdoing has consequences can offer lessons about personal accountability. He contrasted that approach with situations in which people who behave badly appear to avoid consequences.

His comments were presented as his own perspective on the film’s message rather than as a universal assessment of contemporary entertainment.

For McDonough, the central point is that people should seek to improve their behaviour, take responsibility for their families and make decisions that reflect their values.

He connected these themes with his Christian faith, explaining that he appreciates films that encourage audiences to consider how they live and treat other people.

The actor said the Western genre can communicate these ideas through a clear conflict between a protagonist attempting to change and an antagonist who continues to embrace wrongdoing.

That simplicity, in his view, can make a story accessible without removing its emotional complexity.

How Has Neal McDonough’s Personal Experience Influenced His Views on Redemption?

McDonough also related the film’s themes to his own experience of giving up alcohol.

In a 2025 interview with Fox News Digital, the Band of Brothers actor discussed his decision to stop drinking in 2016. He said he had reached a point where he wanted to focus his life on serving God rather than prioritising himself.

He credited his wife, Ruvé, with helping him make the decision. Recalling their conversation, he said she challenged him to choose between their relationship and alcohol. McDonough said he stopped drinking and did not return to it.

During the more recent discussion of Angel and the Badman, he explained that people sometimes need a personal experience or moment of reflection to recognise that their behaviour must change.

He offered examples involving becoming a better father, husband or colleague, describing redemption as a process of recognising mistakes and taking steps to address them.

McDonough said that giving up alcohol had helped him remain focused on his faith and the work he wanted to do.

His account provides personal context for his interpretation of Quirt Evans, a character whose circumstances force him to reconsider the direction of his life.

The actor’s comments do not suggest that everyone’s experience of recovery or personal change is identical. Instead, they explain why he identifies strongly with stories in which people acknowledge their mistakes and attempt to live differently.

For McDonough, the film’s central conflict is therefore not simply between a good man and a bad man. It also concerns the decisions that determine whether someone remains defined by past behaviour or tries to change.

Why Does Director Julio Quintana Believe the Film’s Message Is Relevant Today?

Director Julio Quintana believes the film’s themes are especially relevant in a culture where public mistakes can quickly become lasting reputational problems.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Quintana said modern media environments can place considerable emphasis on personal downfall and self-destruction.

He argued that the public response to a mistake can sometimes focus more heavily on failure than on the effort required to make amends.

In his view, that creates a contrast with the redemptive structure of Angel and the Badman, which presents personal change as an important part of the story.

Quintana said that people making mistakes and then accepting sacrifices to repair the damage can provide a more constructive narrative than one focused exclusively on failure.

His comments point to a distinction between holding people accountable and assuming that a single mistake must define the rest of their lives.

The film’s narrative offers a character who faces pressure from his past and must decide whether to continue on the same path. That conflict allows the director to explore whether change is possible even when circumstances appear to make it difficult.

Quintana’s interpretation also connects with McDonough’s comments about responsibility and Levi’s belief that redemption is a universal human theme.

Although the three men approach the subject from different perspectives, they share an interest in stories that give characters the opportunity to confront their actions and make different choices.

For audiences, the film’s relevance will depend partly on how effectively those themes are communicated through its characters and narrative.

How Does Zachary Levi Connect the Film’s Message With His Wider Creative Ambitions?

Levi’s interest in redemption and personal change also provides a connection between his latest film and his plans for Wyldwood Studios.

In discussing Angel and the Badman, he described redemption as one of the most enduring stories that filmmakers can tell. He believes it works particularly well when combined with a genre that offers action, romance, drama and humour.

That approach is consistent with his stated ambition to build a production environment where artists can exercise greater creative control and develop projects around stories they believe in.

However, the film and the studio remain distinct undertakings. Angel and the Badman is a production by Angel Studios, while Wyldwood is Levi’s proposed film and lifestyle development in Texas.

His participation in the Western does not, by itself, establish that the film was produced at Wyldwood or that the project has already transformed the way Hollywood operates.

Instead, the two developments illustrate different aspects of his professional activity: acting in a story about personal change and pursuing a long-term project intended to offer a different environment for creative work.

Levi’s statements suggest that he sees both storytelling and the organisation of filmmaking as areas where his values can influence his decisions.

Whether Wyldwood becomes a successful alternative production centre will depend on its execution, its ability to attract business and the experiences of the artists who eventually use it.

What Could Levi’s Move Mean for Texas and California’s Film Industries?

Levi’s comments contribute to a continuing discussion about where film and television production should take place and what different locations can offer the industry.

California remains associated with Hollywood’s established production networks, while Texas has been seeking to attract additional film activity and investment.

Levi’s experience highlights several considerations that may influence individual decisions, including tax arrangements, personal values, property opportunities and the ability to develop facilities outside traditional production centres.

His emphasis on Texas’s lack of a state individual income tax is one factor in his personal assessment. It does not mean that all production costs or tax obligations are lower in Texas, as businesses and individuals may face other expenses and obligations depending on their circumstances.

Similarly, building a studio does not automatically guarantee that productions will relocate from California or that a new campus will generate sustained commercial activity.

Wyldwood’s projected opening of its first two soundstages in 2027 will be an important stage in determining whether the development can begin attracting productions and supporting the wider creative community Levi has described.

For Bastrop County, the project could provide an additional film production destination if the planned facilities are completed and attract regular use.

For California, Levi’s decision represents one actor’s choice to pursue a different professional and personal arrangement. Its broader significance will depend on whether similar projects establish sustainable production operations elsewhere.

The development therefore offers a practical test of whether a studio built around a combination of production facilities and lifestyle amenities can compete for work in an industry with established centres, experienced workforces and existing professional networks.

Background: How Did Zachary Levi’s Texas Plans Develop?

Levi left Los Angeles and moved to a ranch outside Austin in 2017. He has described the move as the result of a longstanding ambition to create a different kind of film production environment.

His idea developed from his experience working in Hollywood and his belief that artists could benefit from greater ownership and more direct involvement in the production process.

The proposed Wyldwood Studios project grew from that ambition. Its 75-acre site in Bastrop County is intended to accommodate film production facilities alongside residential, wellness and community amenities.

Project information published by Building Bastrop County describes a larger development combining entertainment, hospitality and community facilities. Its plans include soundstages, flexible creative workspaces, accommodation and other amenities. The organisation lists the first two soundstages as scheduled to open in 2027.

Building Bastrop County

+1

Levi’s plans are also part of wider efforts to expand production capacity in Texas. Bastrop County has promoted its potential as a film location, while other studio developments have been planned in the area.

FilmBastropCounty.

+1

Alongside his development work, Levi continues to act in film and television. His role in Angel and the Badman places him in a remake of a recognised Western, with the story focused on the possibility of redemption and the consequences of violence.

The film’s director and cast have emphasised those themes in their interviews, offering personal and professional interpretations of why stories about accountability and change remain important.

Prediction: How Could Levi’s Decision Affect Filmmakers, Audiences and Texas Residents?

For filmmakers and production companies, Wyldwood Studios could provide another option for developing and producing projects if its planned facilities become operational and attract regular business. Its combination of soundstages, offices and proposed accommodation may appeal to productions seeking an integrated working environment.

However, the project’s practical value will depend on the quality of its facilities, operating costs, available crews, production schedules and the volume of work it can secure. The projected 2027 opening of its first two soundstages will be an important milestone, but it will not by itself establish whether the development can compete sustainably with existing production centres.

For Texas residents, the project could create opportunities connected with film production, hospitality and other supporting services if it proceeds as planned and attracts activity. The scale of any economic impact cannot yet be determined from the project’s stated ambitions alone.

For California’s entertainment industry, Levi’s move adds to the discussion about production outside Hollywood, but it does not prove that the state’s established position will be displaced. Any broader shift will depend on the decisions of multiple companies, investors, workers and filmmakers.