Zachary Levi, best known for starring in the “Shazam!” films, has opened up about his decision to leave California and move to Texas, describing his former home state as being “literally and figuratively on fire.”
Levi moved to a ranch outside Austin in 2017 and has since become increasingly involved in developing his life and career in Texas. Rather than simply relocating, the actor says he wants to help build something new in the state — a creative environment that offers an alternative to the traditional Hollywood system.
As part of that vision, Levi is working on a reported $100 million film and lifestyle campus in Texas. The project is intended to bring together filmmaking, creative work, living spaces and community, giving artists a place where they can work and build relationships without necessarily having to base their careers in California.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Levi criticized what he sees as the problems facing California and argued that Texas provides an opportunity to create a different model for the entertainment industry. His comments reflect a broader movement of entertainment professionals and businesses looking beyond Los Angeles and considering states such as Texas for film production and creative projects.
For Levi, the goal appears to be bigger than simply leaving California. He wants to create a community where artists can live, collaborate and produce entertainment while developing a new approach to Hollywood outside its traditional center.
His decision and the planned campus are likely to fuel the ongoing debate over California’s future as the dominant center of the American entertainment industry and whether states like Texas can attract more major creative projects.
