Zachary Levi Leaves California to Pursue New Ventures in Texas
Zachary Levi has been candid about his decision to relocate from California to Texas. In 2017, the actor known for his roles in ‘Chuck’ and ‘Shazam!’, sold his Los Angeles home and purchased a ranch near Austin. Levi explained in an interview with Fox News Digital that while he grew up loving California, he now views it as a ‘failed state.’ This sentiment partly stemmed from his discontent with the way the entertainment industry functions and a desire to create positive change from within.
Levi’s move is also driven by a vision to establish a better Hollywood, akin to the concept of a new United Artists studio run by artists themselves. His plan includes building a community with residences, schools, and organic farming — facilities he believes many seek nowadays. Nine years ago, Levi found the perfect spot for this venture, investing in a 75-acre property in Bastrop County, Texas to develop Wyldwood Studios, a $100 million film and lifestyle campus. Expected to open its first soundstages in 2027, Wyldwood will be a creative hub pairing production spaces with housing and wellness areas.
Levi acknowledged the trade-offs involved in leaving California, such as parting ways with loved ones and the region’s idyllic weather, for a larger mission. He expressed confidence in his decision by highlighting the compelling call to build something impactful. Levi added that Austin is a great city despite its hot summers and cold winters.
In his latest project, ‘The Fix,’ Levi is taking on a new type of role in a movie directed by Guy Moshe. The film features a team of former CIA operatives, led by Levi’s character and mentored by Liam Neeson’s. The group embarks on a high-risk mission in Tehran. Levi was attracted by the opportunity to play a darker, grittier role, stepping away from his usual lighter characters.
Moshe, the director, has praised Levi for his physicality and presence, noting the actor’s unexpected fit for an action star role. Levi’s co-stars, including Elnaaz Norouzi, have complimented his abilities and the sense of chemistry he fosters on set. Norouzi plays Zara, sent to pose as Tucker’s Persian wife during a risky mission.
‘The Fix’ premieres in theaters on September 11.