Zachary Levi has given his tackle the adoption and growing popularity of faith-based movies in Hollywood.
The comic star said that real interest from major studios only materialized once there was money to be made. Levi has morphed from starring in superhero movies to spiritual movies of some sort, but disclosed the particular checklists he adopts before accepting a job.
Zachary Levi, an outspoken actor, previously claimed that Hollywood “graylisted” him, but noted that he won’t stop speaking his truth.
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Zachary Levi Speaks On The Growing Interest In ‘Faith-Based’ Movies In Hollywood
Zachary Levi has offered his two cents on the growing acceptance of flicks with religious themes in Hollywood.
In a recent conversation with Fox News Digital, the “Shazam!” actor contended that for years, movies of such nature were sidelined as Hollywood didn’t “really care” until there was money to be made.
Speaking on why it was so, Levi said, “Well, I believe lots of people just didn’t know the story. That is why lots of people hadn’t made this movie.”
He continued, “Faith-based movies or faith-infused movies, really within the last 10 years, have began to indicate just how effective and lucrative they may be … which is why lots of studios have spun up branches of the studio to deal with those forms of movies.”
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The Actor Says Hollywood Didn’t ‘Really Care’ About Faith-Based Film Until Money Was Involved
Levi has been very vocal about his beliefs and doesn’t hesitate to share how his personal faith has helped shape many areas of his life.
He noted that for the last decade or so, most studios remained tired of anything regarding movies of any spiritual undertone, but they’ve now been forced to reconsider once they realized how strong the audience was.
“Prior to 10 years ago, I do not know that anybody would have touched it because I do not think Hollywood really cared until they saw that there was money that might be made in that world,” he explained.
“There’s lots of really faithful folks that go to church frequently and need stories that reflect their same faith,” he added.
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Zachary Levi’s Profession Is Guided By A Spiritual Lens
Having starred in quite a lot of movies starting from superhero to motion type, the 45-year-old actor acknowledged that a spiritual lens now guides his profession.
“There are actually roles and projects that I even have chosen to pass on because I just felt like there was no way I could see any sort of redemption in them,” he said.
The “Tangled” actor went further to clarify that it is not only religious movies he chooses, but that those other ones would have some kind of redemptive theme in them.
“I’ve done loads of things that don’t have anything to do with faith. But they still have elements … which might be redemptive. You realize, good triumphs over evil, stories that embolden people, encourage people, give them courage, give them hope,” he said.
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The Actor Doesn’t Want To Play ‘The Same Thing Over And Over Again’
An example of the sort of movies Levi is fascinated about making is his latest film, “Sarah’s Oil,” which is described as an inspiring movie of religion, diversity, and redemption, and is produced by Amazon Studios and Kingdom Story Company.
The film follows the lifetime of Sarah Rector, a young black girl who was born within the 1900s in Oklahoma Indian territory and grew to be one in every of the youngest millionaires at age 11.
Speaking with the news outlet on the inspiration behind the movies he features in, he said, “It is often a case-by-case basis.”
“I take a look at the script at the start. Is that this a very good story? Is it value telling? Is it well-written?” he continued.
How much the movie stretches him creatively can be one other factor he looks for.
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“Is that a personality I’d wish to portray? Is it a challenge for me? … I don’t desire to only play the identical thing over and another time,” Levi said.
Zachary Levi Claims Hollywood ‘Graylisted’ Him
Other than the spiritual side, Levi also champions his political ideology like no other and has been quite vocal in his support for President Donald Trump. It was for that reason he claimed earlier this month that Hollywood “graylisted” him, but vowed he won’t stop speaking his truth.
The actor is decidedly libertarian but in addition holds conservative views, sharing how his links to Trump made him a Hollywood outsider.
In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, he asserted that he has suffered “graylisting” within the industry for it.
“I would go to date as to say I used to be graylisted, I suppose,” the actor told the news outlet. “I’m still getting jobs, and I’m still grateful — very grateful — to be working. And I still have numerous friends within the industry, individuals who still wish to work with me.”