In an unexpected fusion of Hollywood star power and professional sports, actor Mark Wahlberg and NBA superstar Anthony “Tony” Davis have joined forces to create a revolutionary new animation studio.
The duo, known for their outspoken views on political correctness, are betting on a growing market of consumers tired of the "woke" culture infiltrating mainstream media.
Their studio, tentatively titled "Free Thought Studios," is poised to disrupt the entertainment industry with a series of cartoons that openly challenge the increasing influence of LGBT advocacy and progressive narratives in children’s programming.
Sources close to the project have revealed that Wahlberg, a seasoned actor and producer known for films such as The Fighter and Ted, and Davis, a 6-time NBA All-Star, have committed substantial financial resources to launch the studio.
Their goal is to provide an alternative to the pervasive influence of progressive ideologies that they believe have dominated Hollywood and popular culture in recent years.
In an exclusive interview, Wahlberg explained the motivations behind the venture. “Look, I’ve been in this business long enough to see how things have changed,” he said.
“We’re living in an age where everything is dictated by a small group of vocal minorities. This studio is about giving the silent majority a voice. It’s about pushing back against an agenda that forces ideologies into every piece of content we consume, especially for kids.”
Davis, whose career has been equally shaped by public image and personal branding, shared similar sentiments. “Sports have been politicized, and so has entertainment.
But the people who watch my games and watch movies don’t want their kids being told what to think. They want freedom. And that’s what we’re offering — freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of imagination.”
The animation studio’s primary goal is to create cartoons that engage young audiences while sidestepping the “woke” ideologies that have become prevalent in children’s media.
The pair has made it clear that their cartoons will not conform to the often-progressive themes pushed by major studios. Instead, they plan to focus on content that emphasizes individualism, merit, traditional family values, and humor without the “overbearing political correctness” that they believe has taken over Hollywood.
The controversy surrounding the project is palpable. Critics of Wahlberg and Davis’s plan have already accused them of “alienating marginalized communities” and “undermining the progress made in LGBT representation.”
In a statement released by a collective of progressive filmmakers and LGBT activists, the two stars were denounced for “reverting back to regressive norms that harm vulnerable communities.”
This backlash, however, has done little to deter Wahlberg and Davis, who have both asserted that their aim is not to attack or erase the rights of the LGBT community but rather to give children’s content a break from “over-sexualized” and “agenda-driven” narratives.
Wahlberg further elaborated on this during a panel discussion at a private industry event. “We’re not against the LGBT community. We’re not against anyone.
But we’ve reached a point where kids’ shows are being used to push adult political agendas. That’s not something I want for my children. I want them to grow up with fun, educational content that doesn’t push any particular agenda on them.”
Initial reports indicate that the first slate of cartoons from Free Thought Studios will include an array of characters and stories with little to no focus on the politically charged topics that have pervaded modern cartoons.
Instead, the shows will focus on character-driven plots that emphasize friendship, adventure, and teamwork — all while promoting humor and positive values.
Some early titles in development include “The Superheroes of Liberty,” a series focused on a group of ordinary kids who gain extraordinary powers through hard work and determination, and “Adventures in Time,” a show centered around two friends who travel through history to solve mysteries without the “in-your-face” lessons on social issues.
The studio’s commitment to avoiding “preachy” messages is evident in its development process. Producers and writers are reportedly working closely with child psychologists to ensure the content promotes creativity, independent thinking, and problem-solving skills, without resorting to overt political messaging.
"We’re creating entertainment for entertainment’s sake," Wahlberg explained. "We want kids to be kids again — to laugh, to think, to explore without having to be told how to feel about every issue under the sun.”
While it may sound like a simple mission, the studio’s anti-woke stance is sure to attract controversy. Major studios and networks like Disney and Netflix, long at the center of progressive media criticism, have shifted significantly in recent years to include more LGBT representation and political messaging, both in their live-action and animated programming.
Characters from various sexual orientations have appeared in major family-friendly shows and films, including Disney's Frozen 2, where LGBTQ storylines were introduced, and Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, which features a prominent LGBTQ relationship.
Despite the backlash from progressive groups, there is growing evidence of a market demand for alternatives to mainstream, politically charged media.
A 2024 poll from the American Family Survey found that 56% of parents felt that children’s media had become “too political,” and 63% expressed concerns over the normalization of LGBTQ themes in children’s programming.
The poll’s results point to a growing frustration with the over-representation of social justice themes, leaving some parents feeling alienated by content they perceive as promoting a specific political agenda.
While Free Thought Studios is just beginning to build its brand, they are already in talks with multiple distributors and streaming platforms, including some reportedly in early discussions with a major television network.
In fact, industry insiders say the studio's ability to present content that caters to parents seeking more traditional programming for their children has generated significant buzz.
However, the studio’s agenda has already garnered vocal criticism. Several members of the entertainment community have called Wahlberg and Davis’s plans “dangerous” and accused them of “pushing an agenda of fear and division.”
Critics argue that the entertainment industry’s push for inclusivity and representation is vital for fostering understanding and tolerance in future generations, and that by rejecting this, Free Thought Studios risks promoting a return to more conservative, exclusionary views.
In response, Davis and Wahlberg maintain that their approach is about choice. “We’re not saying that every show should be anti-woke. What we’re saying is that there should be a choice.
There should be an option for parents who don’t want to feel forced into one specific ideology just to watch a cartoon with their kids,” Davis said.
As Free Thought Studios moves into production, its first few projects will be watched closely by both its supporters and detractors. With a market already polarized over issues of cultural representation, the studio’s success or failure could be a bellwether for the future of entertainment aimed at younger audiences.
Wahlberg and Davis, no strangers to controversy, appear prepared for the long haul, even as they gear up for what could be one of the most public battles in modern media.
For now, their focus is on bringing something different to the table: a space where storytelling for children can be free from the ideological push that has become increasingly ubiquitous in today’s media landscape.
Whether the world is ready for this shift remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — Free Thought Studios will not shy away from the challenges ahead.
As the studio prepares to unveil its first wave of shows, Wahlberg concluded, “This isn’t about being against anything. This is about giving people a choice, especially the next generation. It’s time for media to stop dictating how we think and feel and just let kids be kids again.”
