In ways the industry has never witnessed before, a new initiative from three vocal stars has the potential to completely upend the existing quo in Hollywood, which has long been a battlefield of opposing views.
Roseanne Barr, Mark Wahlberg, and Mel Gibson—three figures known for their complex histories and polarizing opinions—are teaming up to create what they describe as Hollywood’s first major “anti-woke” film studio.
Their objective? to create a space where contentious, politically incorrect, and conventional storylines can thrive and to rebel against what they see to be the overpowering influence of political correctness in entertainment.
But in an industry dominated by major studios that have increasingly embraced progressive values, can they really pull this off?
Or is this just the latest culture war battle that will burn out before it begins?
A “Safe Haven” for Unfiltered Storytelling?
The project, still lacking an official name, has been described as a “safe haven” for filmmakers, writers, and actors who feel stifled by the constraints of mainstream Hollywood.
According to a joint statement from Barr, Wahlberg, and Gibson, the studio is being built on the belief that Hollywood’s growing obsession with ideological politics has led to the marginalization of conservative and independent voices.
In an impassioned press conference announcing the venture, Barr didn’t hold back:
“We are tired of being told what we can or cannot say, what we can or cannot think.”
She painted a picture of an industry where speaking out of step with progressive ideals could mean blacklisting, lost roles, or public shaming.
“Hollywood has become the place where you have to be afraid to say what you want. Our studio will be different. We are not going to avoid controversial topics, but we are going to give artists the freedom to express themselves without fear of being canceled.”
For their supporters, this statement hits a nerve—many feel Hollywood has become an echo chamber where certain viewpoints are systematically shut out.
For critics, however, this raises a different question:
Are they truly fighting for free speech, or is this just another attempt to push an ideological agenda under the guise of artistic freedom?
The Hollywood “Woke” Backlash—And Why It’s Growing
The announcement of this studio is part of a broader movement in the entertainment industry, where a growing backlash against progressive ideals has been gaining momentum.
In recent years, several high-profile figures have spoken out against the direction of Hollywood, arguing that movies and television shows are increasingly shaped by political messaging rather than artistic vision.
The term “anti-woke” has become a rallying cry for those who believe Hollywood’s focus on social justice issues has gone too far—creating a landscape where traditional narratives and conservative viewpoints are sidelined.
For many, it’s not just about politics.
Critics of mainstream Hollywood argue that modern storytelling has become overly sanitized, formulaic, and engineered to meet ideological checklists rather than allowing organic creativity to take the lead.
And that’s exactly what Barr, Wahlberg, and Gibson claim to be pushing against.
“Hollywood used to be about telling great stories. Now it’s about telling stories that pass the ‘woke’ test. That’s not art. That’s propaganda.” – Mark Wahlberg
Their new studio, they say, will reject this mindset and focus on creating films that reflect a broader spectrum of ideas and opinions, unconstrained by Hollywood’s current industry pressures.
But that raises an even bigger question:
Will audiences embrace this shift? Or will it be dismissed as an ideological stunt?
Supporters See a Much-Needed Alternative—Critics See a Recipe for Division
As expected, reactions to the studio have been deeply divided.
Supporters argue that this is exactly what Hollywood needs—a counterbalance to an industry that has, in their view, veered too far left.
