In a move sending shockwaves through Hollywood, actors Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg have reportedly partnered with tech mogul Elon Musk to launch what they describe as a “non-woke” film studio, pledging an investment between $2 billion and $5 billion.
This bold initiative is poised to challenge the entertainment industry’s dominant cultural narratives, with a mission statement focused on upholding traditional family values and rejecting the ideological frameworks they claim have overtaken mainstream film production.
According to insiders close to the project, the trio aims to create a media powerhouse that produces films reflecting timeless morals, patriotism, religious respect, and what they term “authentic human stories”—a counterpoint to what they see as the increasingly politicized and progressive messaging in today’s cinematic landscape.
The announcement, though still in its early stages of formal rollout, has sparked immediate debate, admiration, and outrage in equal measure. Critics accuse the group of pushing regressive ideals under the guise of “family values,” while supporters hail it as a courageous stand against what they perceive as the cultural gatekeeping of a hyper-politicized entertainment industry.
For Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg, both known for their outspoken religious beliefs and advocacy of more conservative views, the decision to invest their star power and finances into this endeavor marks a significant shift in how Hollywood might look in the coming decade.
Gibson, once shunned by the industry over controversial statements but later embraced for his directorial comeback in films like Hacksaw Ridge, has long criticized what he views as the moral decay of modern filmmaking. Wahlberg, a devout Catholic, has also been candid about his discomfort with roles that promote messages at odds with his faith.
In recent years, he has turned increasingly toward producing content that reflects spiritual and family-centered themes, including his involvement in Father Stu, a biopic about a boxer-turned-priest. Now, teaming up with Musk, the most polarizing figure in tech, the two actors appear determined to shift the cinematic conversation.
Elon Musk’s involvement adds a potent layer of unpredictability and momentum to the venture. Known for turning industries on their head—from electric vehicles to space travel to artificial intelligence—Musk has repeatedly criticized what he terms the “woke mind virus” infecting institutions, including academia, the media, and corporate culture.
His public disdain for political correctness, combined with a growing libertarian streak and enormous financial resources, positions him as both a disruptor and a financier with the power to execute large-scale change. Investing billions into a media project is not new to the billionaire, whose acquisition of Twitter in 2022 and subsequent reshaping of its policies demonstrated his willingness to tackle cultural battles head-on.
According to early reports, the new film studio will be headquartered in Texas, a state that has become increasingly popular among conservatives seeking refuge from California’s progressive policies. The location reflects both ideological alignment and practical benefits, including favorable tax structures and a growing entertainment production infrastructure.
Insiders suggest that the first slate of films may include historical epics, family dramas, and even animated features that adhere to faith-friendly storytelling principles—areas the founders feel have been largely abandoned by today’s studios in favor of politically driven content.
Though formal press releases and branding details have yet to be made public, anonymous sources within Wahlberg’s production company confirmed that the new studio will not “ban” LGBTQ+ characters or diverse casts, but will instead prioritize stories that elevate what they describe as “moral clarity, faith, and the foundational importance of the nuclear family.”
In other words, the studio’s goal is not exclusion, but recalibration—a rebalancing of Hollywood's cultural weight in a direction they argue is overdue.
Unsurprisingly, the response from mainstream Hollywood has been swift. Some A-list actors and filmmakers have issued veiled criticisms on social media, while others have openly mocked the studio’s “non-woke” branding, calling it regressive or even dangerous.
Progressive advocacy groups have sounded alarms, warning that the studio’s messaging could normalize exclusionary worldviews under the guise of artistic freedom. Yet a growing chorus of independent filmmakers, actors, and cultural commentators—many of whom feel alienated by Hollywood’s ideological orthodoxy—have expressed cautious optimism.
For them, the new studio represents a rare opportunity to work on big-budget productions without feeling pressured to conform to dominant cultural narratives they may not agree with.
At the heart of this conflict is a deeper question about the purpose of storytelling. Should films serve as mirrors of society, reflecting back its evolving values and social complexities? Or should they act as anchors to longstanding principles, offering clarity and moral instruction in an increasingly confusing world? The Gibson-Wahlberg-Musk alliance is betting on the latter—and they are doing so with enough financial backing to force the industry to pay attention.
From a business perspective, the timing could be strategic. In recent years, several major films perceived as overly political or ideologically preachy have underperformed at the box office, while faith-based and family-focused films have quietly built loyal audiences and turned modest investments into major profits.
The success of films like Sound of Freedom, Jesus Revolution, and The Chosen have demonstrated that there is a viable market for content that leans into spirituality and conservative values. The new studio seeks to scale this market to unprecedented levels, using top-tier production resources and global distribution strategies.
However, success will not come easily. Breaking the grip of the traditional studio system will require more than just ideology—it will demand cinematic excellence.
Audiences may be curious, but they will ultimately judge these films on their quality, relatability, and emotional resonance. If the studio can deliver that without sacrificing its values, it may truly become a transformative force in the entertainment world. But if it leans too far into dogma or political messaging, it risks becoming a niche outlet with limited reach.
Still, the power trio behind the effort is formidable. Mel Gibson brings the directorial gravitas, Mark Wahlberg delivers leading-man appeal and industry respect, and Elon Musk supplies the capital and tech infrastructure to revolutionize how these films are made, marketed, and streamed.
With rumors already circulating about streaming partnerships, proprietary platforms, and AI-powered production workflows, this initiative may not only challenge the content of Hollywood—but its entire operational model.
Whether this partnership ends up being a flash in the pan or a seismic cultural shift, one thing is clear: Mel Gibson, Mark Wahlberg, and Elon Musk are no longer content to complain from the sidelines.
They are putting their reputations—and billions of dollars—on the line to reshape American storytelling. In doing so, they are forcing a reckoning that Hollywood has long postponed. And they’re doing it not with subtle critiques, but with studios, cameras, and scripts in hand. The cultural battle for the soul of cinema just got real.