
The Texas-Born Movie Stars Who Want Texas to Be the ‘New Hollywood’
These movie stars, with whom you are familiar, are advocating for making Texas a new filming hub—maybe even the 'New Hollywood.'
In a new video, renowned actors Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, and Renée Zellweger champion Texas as a premier destination for film and television production.
The initiative, 'True to Texas,' aims to persuade the Texas legislature to implement incentives to attract more projects to the Lone Star State.
A new campaign is in progress. The centerpiece is a four-minute video directed by True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto, which features McConaughey and Harrelson reprising their iconic roles from the series.
The subject matter?
The two actors engage in a dialogue that shows Texas's potential to be a new filmmaking hub.

Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, and Renee Zellweger also appear, emphasizing the advantages of filmmaking in Texas.
This video is a star-studded appeal for support from the Texas Legislature
The video opens with McConaughey and Harrelson in a car, reminiscent of their "True Detective" characters, discussing the cyclical nature of Hollywood and envisioning a renaissance in Texas. Quaid, portraying a handcuffed passenger, suggests that allocating a small fraction of Texas's budget surplus could transform the state into the "new Hollywood." Thornton and Zellweger join the conversation via phone calls, expressing their eagerness to bring productions back to their home state.
This isn't completely new. We've already seen more movie-making happening in Texas and Louisiana. So, this just feels like encouragement from these celebrities to take the next step.
Is this a call to action for more authentic storytelling regarding Texas-based stories?
As some of us already know, McConaughey has been vocal about the importance of filming Texas-based stories within the state, emphasizing that authentic backdrops enhance storytelling. He said, "Texas stories deserve a Texas backdrop. That's why I teamed up with Dennis Quaid, Woody Harrelson, Billy Bob Thornton, ... !"
Some think this will be well-received by Texas lawmakers, given that the Texas State Senate has proposed a budget that includes close to $500 million in incentives to bolster the state's film industry.
So, what's your opinion? Would you like to see Texas become a 'New Hollywood'? Or does the idea raise any concerns?
Feel free to share your thoughts with me at tara.holley@townsquaremedia.com.
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