Zachary Levi Opens Up About ‘Graylisting’ in Hollywood and His Mission to Speak Out

Zachary Levi Opens Up About Graylisting in Hollywood and His Mission to Speak Out

Zachary Levi is standing firm in his beliefs. The star of the hit film “Shazam!” expressed his determination to advocate for his convictions despite facing professional repercussions in the entertainment industry.

As his latest film “Sarah’s Oil” prepares to debut, Levi took the opportunity to reflect on how his political views have influenced his career trajectory. While he acknowledges that he has not been entirely shut out from opportunities, he feels he has experienced a form of graylisting in Hollywood.

In an exclusive interview, Levi shared his thoughts on this issue. He remarked, “I might go so far as to say I was graylisted, I guess. I’m still getting jobs, and I’m still grateful — very grateful — to be working. And I still have lots of friends in the industry, people who still want to work with me.” His gratitude extends to colleagues who have supported him throughout his journey even if they hold differing political perspectives.

Levi stated, “I’m very grateful for all of those folks — whether or not we’re even on the same side of the political spectrum — people who know my heart and know that I’m a good man who just wants good in this world. We might disagree on how to get there, but I genuinely want the best for everyone in this world.”

Facing Backlash for Speaking Out

Despite his appreciation for the support he has received, Levi has faced significant backlash. He revealed, “There’s definitely been a lot of blowback and pushback. There are people in the industry who don’t want to work with me — because I had the audacity to say I didn’t think Kamala Harris was the right choice in our last election and also because I called corporations like Pfizer to account, because I think that we’ve been lied to a lot about everything that’s gone on in the last five, six years.”

He added, “And I think there needs to be accountability. I am pro-science. I am pro-health. I am pro-human. I’m a libertarian, I’m not even a conservative. I think that all of us ought to have the right to live the life that we choose to live for ourselves, but also recognizing that our individual liberty ends here. And once it starts affecting somebody else’s individual liberty, well, then we have a problem.”

Levi feels that many political policies from the left don’t adequately consider this balance. Nevertheless, he remains committed to voicing his beliefs. He explained, “I’m just trying to keep moving forward and speaking up when I think that we’re being lied to and speaking up, speaking truth in love. That’s all I think we can, all any of us can do. Speak what you believe to be true and speak it in love.”

A Powerful Story of Resilience

Levi’s latest film, “Sarah’s Oil,” produced by Amazon Studios and Kingdom Story Company, tells the inspiring true story of Sarah Rector, a remarkable young Black girl from early-1900s Oklahoma Indian Territory. Rector overcame adversity, ultimately becoming one of America’s first Black female millionaires at just eleven years old.

The film represents years of hard work for Levi, who believes in its significance. He recalled the moment he read the script, stating, “I was blown away. It was an absolutely true story about this young Black girl at the turn of the century in Tulsa, Oklahoma… who was intelligent and precocious and spirit-filled.”

Levi continued to share the incredible tale of Rector. “She prayed over the land and she believed God told her it was full of oil. And she was right.” This prayer led to the discovery of one of the largest and purest oil reserves in North America, skyrocketing Sarah to fame and fortune while plunging her into fierce legal battles to protect her legacy.

Reflecting on this extraordinary story, Levi questioned, “How have I never heard this story before? Why is it that no one I know has ever heard this story before?”

Navigating Challenges in Film Production

Despite its empowering message of resilience and diversity, the journey to bring “Sarah’s Oil” to life was far from straightforward. Levi admitted, “I thought it would be a slam dunk. Hollywood says these are exactly the stories that we want to make. And it took a few years to finally get the right people invested.”

In the film, Levi portrays Bert Smith, a friend of Sarah who plays a crucial role in tapping into the oil underneath her land. He characterized their relationship as one of business partners.

Building a New Era in Filmmaking

After bringing a powerful narrative of faith and perseverance to the screen, Levi is now channeling his energy into a groundbreaking endeavor: Wyldwood Studios, a $100 million production campus being established near Austin, Texas.

He described the vision for this multi-million dollar project, emphasizing its mission to create an entertainment ecosystem where storytelling thrives free from Hollywood politics. Levi noted, “I’ve got wonderful friends and commitments from studios like Angel Studios, Kingdom Story, and Wonder Projects. All of them are dedicated toward making really excellent family entertainment.”

While Wyldwood Studios will embrace faith-based films, Levi stressed that the aim is not to serve as a conservative counterbalance to Los Angeles. Rather, it is about prioritizing quality storytelling and creative freedom. He clarified, “It’s really just about taking agenda out, focusing on excellence. Not having a political agenda. I just want to make great movies. I want to tell great stories, entertaining stories.”

Levi envisions a diverse slate of productions that spans from uplifting family dramas to edgier comedies, all anchored in high-quality storytelling.

As “Sarah’s Oil” presents its compelling narrative to audiences, one thing is certain: Zachary Levi continues to champion both his beliefs and the stories that resonate deeply.