There’s nothing quite as entertaining as watching the rich and famous dance to the tune of their own making—except when it involves a U-Haul and an interstate move! That’s exactly what’s happening with some of Hollywood’s elite, who are packing their bags faster than you can say “wealth tax.” The saga unfolds as Steven Spielberg, that iconic film director who’s given us breathtaking tales like *Jaws* and *Jurassic Park,* decides that sunny California has become a bit too economically stormy for his taste. It’s almost as if the price of living in the real-world version of a financial blockbuster has gone up, and it’s no longer playing well at the Spielberg box office.

The director and his wife, Kate, have made a well-timed leap to the East Coast, taking residence in the hip and happening Central Park West area of Manhattan. The same place that used to boast residency from the likes of Bono and Mick Jagger. Now, isn’t it curious? Just as the golden gates of California’s new would-be wealth tax were about to clang shut, Steve found Manhattan’s glitzy allure too tempting to resist. Of course, they say it was all about getting closer to family, but it sure feels like the story had an urgent edit with a twist of fiscal foresight.

California has a shiny new proposal on the block: a 5% one-time wealth tax targeting its own billionaire residents. One could almost picture the scene—the tax folks playing the role of stern parents in a ‘coming-of-age’ comedy where adult billionaires pout and protest. It’s a tax that looks eager to put the “cinema” back into Stephen’s personal financial drama. Any billionaire still residing in California when 2026 rolls around might feel a tad like the silliest fish in a very expensive net—if the proposal passes, they’re looking at coughing up some serious cash for the privilege of living among the redwoods and movie stars.

And if you thought Spielberg was the only one with an itchy moving finger, think again! Other heavy hitters like Mark Zuckerberg and top tech titans are heading for the exits too, and they’re not exactly leaving a sticky note on the fridge saying when they’ll be back. Florida, with its spicier version of winter and tax-friendly sunshine, seems to be the destination of choice. The state must have some tech-savvy beach towels ready with all these tech giants rolling in.

But here’s the kicker. These moves suggest that the California dream is feeling more like a pajama party where the moneyed guests have to hand over their piggy banks at the door. And who’s in the front row with popcorn watching this spectacle unfold? None other than California’s Governor Newsom, whose wide-eyed political aspirations may soon find themselves on a directorial cut floor. As the state grapples with losing some of its richest residents, it seems a bit like a classic tale of Tinseltown irony—where you get the plot twist you never saw coming in the place you least expect it.

So there you have it, folks: Hollywood’s latest action-packed scene isn’t on the silver screen but on the jumbo-sized map of the U.S., where moving trucks are the new stars of the show. Who knew that keeping wealth in California was the impossible mission for Spielberg and his ilk? California may have been the good old golden state, but for now, it seems another state holds the golden ticket.