Stallone, Gibson, and Voight's Unclear Role Amidst Industry Struggles

At the beginning of the year, President Donald Trump named Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as "special ambassadors" to Hollywood. The Los Angeles Times reports that as the 100th day of the presidency nears, the activities of these ambassadors remain unclear.

Trump stated that the three actors, all supporters of his, would serve as his "eyes and ears" and that he would act on their suggestions. He also expressed concern that Hollywood had lost business to foreign countries in recent years, and he hoped the ambassadors would help bring it back.

Pamela Buzick Kim, co-founder of Stay in LA, a group focused on boosting local film and TV production, stated that they had attempted to contact all three ambassadors without receiving a response. She expressed concern that the ambassadors might be symbolic figures rather than active participants. A spokesperson for the California Film Commission mentioned a "productive" discussion between its executive director and Voight, but provided no further details.

A source connected to a task force formed by the LA Mayor last year said they were unaware of any discussions with the envoys. Democratic Rep. Laura Friedman, a former film producer, also stated that she had not heard of any outreach from the group, and she did not believe it was a serious effort.

The U.S. film and TV industry has faced challenges, including the pandemic, labor strikes, and recent wildfires. Incentives have also led productions to relocate from California to other states and countries. A recent report showed a decrease in on-location production compared to the previous year.

Buzick Kim noted that when the ambassadors were announced, there was curiosity about their perspectives and understanding of the issues, as she was unaware of any prior involvement from them in this area. Gibson stated he was surprised by the appointment, but he would offer any assistance and insight he could.

Following Voight's appointment, his business partner, Steven Paul, announced that he had been named Voight’s “special advisor.” The release indicated plans to bring productions back to America and explore a federal tax incentive tied to a "pro-American cultural standard." The statement also mentioned a conversation between Voight, Paul, and Trump about an "America First" film production initiative.