Zachary Levi Calls Out Hollywood's Increased Interest In Faith-Based Films, Claims It's Driven By Money

Zachary Levi has given his take on the adoption and growing popularity of faith-based movies in Hollywood.

The comic star said that genuine interest from major studios only materialized once there was money to be made. Levi has morphed from starring in superhero movies to spiritual films of some sort, but disclosed the specific checklists he adopts before accepting a role.

Zachary Levi, an outspoken actor, previously claimed that Hollywood "graylisted" him, but noted that he won't stop speaking his truth.

Zachary Levi has offered his two cents on the growing acceptance of movies 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 think a lot of people just didn't know the story. That's why a lot of people hadn't made this movie."

He continued, "Faith-based movies or faith-infused movies, really in the last 10 years, have started to show just how effective and lucrative they can be … which is why a lot of studios have spun up branches of the studio to focus on those types of films."

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 uninterested in anything relating to 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 don't know that anybody would have touched it because I don't think Hollywood really cared until they saw that there was money that could be made in that world," he explained.

"There's a lot of really faithful people that go to church regularly and want stories that reflect their same faith," he added.

Having starred in a number of films ranging from superhero to action type, the 45-year-old actor acknowledged that a spiritual lens now guides his career.

"There are certainly roles and projects that I have chosen to pass on because I just felt like there was no way I could see any kind of redemption in them," he said.

The "Tangled" actor went further to explain that it's not only religious films he chooses, but that those other ones would have some sort of redemptive theme in them.

"I've done plenty of things that have nothing to do with faith. But they still have elements … that are redemptive. You know, good triumphs over evil, stories that embolden people, inspire people, give them courage, give them hope," he said.

An example of the kind of films Levi is interested in making is his latest film, "Sarah's Oil," which is described as an inspiring movie of faith, diversity, and redemption, and is produced by Amazon Studios and Kingdom Story Company.

The film follows the life of Sarah Rector, a young black girl who was born in the 1900s in Oklahoma Indian territory and grew to be one of the youngest millionaires at age 11.

Speaking with the news outlet on the inspiration behind the films he features in, he said, "It's always a case-by-case basis."

"I look at the script first and foremost. Is this a good story? Is it worth telling? Is it well-written?" he continued.

How much the movie stretches him creatively is also another factor he looks for.

"Is that a character I would want to portray? Is it a challenge for me? … I don't want to just play the same thing over and over again," Levi said.

Aside from 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 this 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 also 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" in the industry for it.

"I might go so far as to say I was graylisted, I guess," 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 lots of friends in the industry, people who still want to work with me."