Sylvester Stallone discusses what separates Tulsa King from projects like Rocky and Rambo. As the year comes to a close, the Paramount+ series is arguably one of the last shows to debut, with a lot of anticipation. That's in part due to the fact that it hails from Taylor Sheridan, who has created megahits like Yellowstone. It also comes down to the novelty of seeing Stallone on the small screen, given that he's known for portraying some of the most iconic characters in film. In fact, although he's appeared as a special guest on shows like This Is Us and other series, Tulsa King marks Stallone's first series regular role.
In an interview with Brooklyn Magazine, Stallone is asked about the fact that Tulsa King shows Stallone's lighter side. The actor says the change was liberating, because he never thought he'd get the chance to take on such a role. Stallone goes on to claim that he's a lot more like his Tulsa King character, Dwight, than either Rambo or Rocky. Stallone's quote is included below:
It is the most liberating feeling because I never thought it was ever going to happen. I used to have to tell people that Rambo is a performance. I’m not really that monosyllabic, dark and petulant. I really don’t talk like Rocky either. People always assumed that’s who I am. This one, finally, is liberating because it is who I am. Dwight talks how I talk. This is how I roll. And I thought, let me just see if this works. If it bombs, then I know I have a sh--ty personality. If it works, great, because I’ve been a class clown my whole life, believe me. That’s why as a kid I went to 13 schools in 12 years. I’m very, very hyperactive and I thought I’d put it in this character to see if it flies.
Why Tulsa King Is Likely To Be A Hit
Tulsa King, which sees Stallone's character embarking on a life of crime after being released from prison, benefits from a number of factors. In addition to the cachet of the lead star and Sheridan, the series is smartly calibrated by a talented Tulsa King cast. Fans of Stallone can tune in to be pleasantly surprised by his funnier side, while also seeing skilled performers such as Martin Starr and Dana Delany add to the narrative with their presence. It has both the element of novelty to it and a solid foundation that it can rely on.
Reviews of Tulsa King have noted the same, generally favorable about how the Paramount+ drama plays to the strength of Stallone. While there have been some questions about the overall cohesion of the plot, and whether the series is able to sustain multiple seasons in the same way that Yellowstone has, most critics have agreed that there's plenty to like about the show's initial run. The audience response has been similarly positive.
Stallone himself has struck a note of uncertainty about whether he'd return for Tulsa King season 2. He has explained that the making of a television show is more demanding than being on a movie set, which could discourage him from making more episodes. Still, it's clear he has a lot of fondness for the way that the new show has allowed him to more consistently tap into an aspect of his personality that audiences might not be used to seeing.
Source: Brooklyn Magazine