Zachary Levi, known for his role as Shazam!, is now taking on a different kind of role, one rooted in faith and American history. He stars in “Sarah’s Oil,” a movie based on the true story of Sarah Rector, a young Black girl who became a millionaire in the early 1900s.
Levi spoke about why Hollywood may have waited so long to tell stories like this. He believes that while many may not have known about Sarah Rector’s story, the industry has also changed. Over the last decade, faith-based movies have shown they can be both successful and profitable. This has led some studios to create divisions specifically for these types of films.
In the past, Levi noted, Hollywood might not have paid attention to faith-driven movies because they didn’t see the financial potential. Now, studios realize there is a large audience of faithful people who want stories that reflect their values.
Levi’s own faith plays a significant role in his career choices. He has turned down roles that he felt were not morally sound. While he has starred in movies that aren’t specifically religious, he looks for stories with themes of redemption, good triumphing over evil, and those that inspire hope.
Levi explains that he chooses roles by reading the script first and foremost to see if it’s a good story and worth telling. He also examines whether the role pushes him creatively.
He sees his move from “Shazam!” to “Sarah’s Oil” as a shift toward more meaningful storytelling. He makes his decisions on a “case-by-case basis.” In the end, Levi says that he trusts in God to guide his career choices.
“Sarah’s Oil” tells the incredible story of Sarah Rector, who overcame poverty and prejudice to become one of America’s first Black female millionaires at the young age of 11. Levi plays Bert Smith, a friend who helps Sarah develop the oil beneath her land. He describes their relationship as that of “business partners.”
