Remember when the Dukes held sway over Westerns, and studio heads like Walt Disney, Sam Goldwyn, and Cecil B. DeMille were aligned with the Republican Party? Don’t forget the Hays Code that kept films tightly constrained. It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Hollywood made a noticeable shift to the left around fifty years back, and it seems to have kept its course ever since.
Recently, stars like Mark Wahlberg and Zachary Levi, both of whom hold strong Christian beliefs, are looking at possibilities for a production studio outside of California. Could this be a sign that we’re ready to turn things around?
Upcoming Attractions
We’ve already seen movements like the Daily Wire and Breitbart producing films and TV shows with a non-progressive viewpoint. Notably, podcasters Joe Rogan and Andrew Schultz avoided the Democratic National Committee topics during the 2024 presidential election, hinting that their discussions might have swayed President Trump’s re-election efforts. With the current trends, it seems liberal late-night shows could fade away while right-leaning programs like “Gutfeld!” gain popularity.
What we might witness next could change everything.
The son of billionaire Larry Ellison is now leading Paramount. He recently finalized a high-profile deal to buy the company. While David Ellison isn’t necessarily MAGA, he doesn’t seem intent on ostracizing half the nation either. His first move with Paramount? Securing the rights to UFC events—not exactly catering to the coastal elite. To add some spectacle, an MMA event is scheduled on the White House lawn next June, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the nation.
He also acquired the Free Press and appointed its founder, Bari Weiss, to lead CBS News. This move has stirred quite a reaction from conservatives, as under Weiss, the news tends to resemble actual news rather than progressive narratives. It appears Ellison is aware of the culture wars and believes that targeting the middle class is a smart strategy going forward.
This comes amid criticism of Paramount, especially from celebrities attempting to boycott films centered on Israeli themes due to claims about genocide against Palestinians. It seems to be more of a MAGA approach than typical Hollywood business.
The Right Thing
A recent report noted that from a “Top Gun” sequel to a cowboy-themed take on “Taken”, Paramount is working on projects that resonate with heartland audiences. One of them is said to feature President Trump’s endorsement for the long-anticipated “Rush Hour 4”.
But a misstep in Ellison’s plans was allowing Taylor Sheridan, the superstar of television, to leave for NBCUniversal. Sheridan’s advocacy for red-state themes in shows like “Yellowstone” has transformed storytelling, and he’s poised for continued success in his new venture.
Sheridan’s upcoming projects offer a refreshing break from mainstream narratives. While not explicitly conservative, he tells stories that are often sidelined in today’s Hollywood. His male characters reflect a more traditional form of masculinity that’s becoming rare in current programming.
His work is distinct and doesn’t fit neatly into the usual mold. Take, for instance, his portrayal of an oil leader played by Billy Bob Thornton, who critiques the green energy movement in “Landman”. Will we hear similar sentiments on mainstream channels like HBO Max or Netflix? Probably not.
Zack’s Attack
There’s more unfolding here. Mark Wahlberg and Zachary Levi are exploring production opportunities outside California, likely looking to disrupt the current narrative, uninhibited by progressive ties. Angel Studios, a notable television company, is giving traditional Hollywood stories a fresh spin.
Moreover, Melania Trump is stepping into the spotlight with a documentary about her life and is launching a production company called Hollywood Close Up, exploring paths similar to the Obamas, who established their own venture after leaving the White House.
If there’s one thing to take away, it’s that cultural influence is crucial.
Bring Back Hollywood
Another consideration might be the role of AI. Conservative creators don’t have the same financial backing that their liberal counterparts do. Imagine if liberal filmmakers could use AI to create movies and distribute them on platforms like YouTube or Rumble, potentially revolutionizing the cultural landscape.
Still, conservatives have significant ground to cover. Aaron Sorkin is revisiting January 6th in a new film called “Social Reckoning”, which is expected to attract Oscar buzz. Additionally, “One Battle After Another” positions itself as a morally ambiguous take on anti-government actions, making it a strong Best Picture contender.
The Hollywood media landscape often casts right-leaning projects in a negative light, aiming to maintain progressive control over pop culture. Take “The Sound of Freedom”, for example—a film tackling child trafficking that faced backlash for its perceived conservative leanings, even though its intent was different.
For every anti-government film like “Minneapolis Falls,” there are numerous others pushing far-left agendas. Hollywood’s existing structure heavily promotes a leftist narrative.
This is daunting to replicate or compete against.
Team Ellison will likely face pressure from politicians and media outlets on all sides, making it easier to conform to Hollywood’s liberal norms than to initiate genuine change. Yet, there’s a possibility that Ellison believes this is an opportune moment for a shift in ideology. Ignoring half the country is, quite frankly, a poor business strategy.
Ultimately, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. And now, a portion of the populace finally has storytellers who represent their views.
