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Sylvester Stallone was basically a man who lived off of chaos when it came to his previous roles in films; the best example of this would have to be theRockyandRambofranchises.He eventually secured his first major TV role at the age of 76 in the Taylor Sheridan seriesTulsa Kingin 2022.Now that he has experienced a taste of being a TV actor, he is finally starting to understand how difficult it can be.
The father of five kids surprisingly called this experience“beyond tough”, but why was it even more difficult than his previous ventures?Well, it seems he has finally found a role where he can be himself after years of performing on the big screen. The character in question turned out to be Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who receives Tulsa after serving a 25-year prison sentence for murder.
Also read:Sylvester Stallone Almost Became Jason Bourne – 2 Other Stars Who Came Super Close to Replacing Matt Damon
Tulsa King: Sylvester Stallone Described Filming the Show as ‘Beyond Tough’
The physically demanding roles thatSylvester Stalloneplayed inRockyandRambomay leave one wondering how any filming experience could top them. From taking countless punches in the boxing ring to performing intense stunts, his passion for what he did was unrivaled. But in the process of makingTulsa King,he found a new degree of difficulty.
In most other respects, Stallone is similar to his character inTulsa King, even though he is obviously not a mobster. He toldVarietyin 2022:
“People think after Rocky that I’m a little impaired. Or after Rambo, they think you’re monosyllabic, dangerous, and antisocial. What you see as Dwight is what you see right now. This is who I am.”
Over time, Stallone’s characters from the films, likeRamboandRocky Balboa, came to symbolize him. It was by no means an easy ride for him to live as an action figure or a boxing champion. He was actually hospitalized for several days during the filming ofRocky IVafter taking a real punch from Dolph Lundgren (viaMuscle & Fitness magazine).
However, it appears that filming a TV show is Stallone’s greatest obstacle to date. Speaking ofTulsa King,he stated:
“It’s beyond tough. I can’t believe some people have done this for four, five, or six seasons. It’s brutal compared to filmmaking. I’ll never say, ‘This is a hard shoot’ again on a feature. It’s a vacation compared to this! It really is.”
Suggested:“Henry, don’t let them do that to me”: Henry Winkler Saved Rocky by Giving up a Fortune for Sylvester Stallone
MakingTulsa Kingwas not an easy task, but Stallone’s work was unquestionably valuable.Based on 47 reviews,Rotten Tomatoesreported a 79% approval rating and an average rating of 6.6/10.
Will Taylor Sheridan’s Show Return For Season Two?
Sylvester Stallone also informed Variety that he was not sure if he would return toTaylor Sheridan’sTulsa Kingfor another season. He joked:
“Can they shoot it in my home in Palm Beach? That’d be nice. I talked to my wife about it…But it’s a big decision, it really is.”
The actor appears to be returning to his work boots, asTulsa Kinghas been renewed for a second season since that time. According toDeadline, David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios, stated the following the announcement of season 2.
“We could not be more excited about the success ofTulsa King. It’s a fun,fresh show that audiences are truly embracing in no small part because of its star, Sylvester Stallone.”
Given that Stallone never imagined he would have the opportunity to play a role like this, the actor claimed the shift was “liberating”. In an interview withBrooklyn Magazine, he answered questions about hisTulsa King’s role:
“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..”
Related:“Bouncing down those steps didn’t cause you to get lost”: Sylvester Stallone’s Mom Threatened to Freeze Him to Death if There Was Something Wrong in His Brain
Of course, for any actor, it sounds like a dream come true to play a legendary character like John Rambo. But sometimes, Stallone finds the whole thing exhausting. And that is exactly why he loved playing Dwight Manfredi so much—it is a nice diversion from the brutality of action flicks.
Tulsa Kingis available on Paramount+.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
