Kevin Costner Launches New Film Studio Aimed at “Ending the Woke Era” in Hollywood
Kevin Costner has announced plans to launch a new Hollywood movie studio dedicated to what he describes as a revival of traditional, unapologetic filmmaking. According to sources familiar with the development, Costner intends for the studio to serve as a counterpoint to what he views as an industry dominated by caution, cultural messaging, and a reluctance to take creative risks.
Costner’s decision, which circulated widely among industry insiders this week, follows his growing dissatisfaction with the direction of mainstream American cinema. He reportedly told colleagues that many modern productions are “built around avoiding offense rather than telling the truth of a story,” and suggested that filmmakers have begun to work defensively, shaping scripts around online discourse rather than artistic instinct.
The actor and director’s proposed studio, which he has informally framed as a milestone marking “the end of the Woke Era,” will focus on projects that foreground character, narrative, and traditional dramatic structure. Early planning documents describe an internal culture built around “direct storytelling,” in contrast to what Costner sees as an industry preoccupied with moral signaling and thematic safety.
Costner’s move reflects a broader conversation currently unfolding in Hollywood, where directors and writers frequently point to a divide between artistic intention and cultural expectation. While the actor did not publicly criticize any specific studios or creative teams, individuals close to the project say he has turned down numerous recent scripts due to extensive content restrictions or sensitivity revisions.
One person familiar with Costner’s thinking described his position as a desire to “free filmmakers from an environment where the fear of online backlash shapes the creative process before it even begins.” Another source said Costner believes the industry has developed “layers of self-censorship” that dilute emotional clarity and narrative impact.
This upcoming studio marks the first time Costner has attempted to challenge those trends through structural means rather than through selective project involvement.
According to early internal discussions, Costner plans to be highly selective in choosing creative partners for the new venture. He will reportedly work only with individuals who share his philosophy of storytelling—an approach that has already led him to rule out dozens of former collaborators.
