Sylvester Stallone, at 79 years old, continues to challenge expectations with his career choices and insights. As the third season of Tulsa King premieres on Paramount+ this September, Stallone has shared a glimpse into the series and revealed his connection to Taylor Sheridan, the show’s creator. The actor highlighted the pressures Sheridan faced early on and why he chose to leave acting behind in favor of writing, a transition driven by necessity rather than ambition.
From Supporting Roles to a Creative Crossroads
Stallone explained how both he and Sheridan encountered a turning point in their careers, where continuing as actors in limited, typecast roles was no longer viable.
“There was a crossroads where I knew I was always going to be ‘thug number three’ coming through the door,”
Stallone said in a recent interview with People. He continued,
“I saw the handwriting on the wall and knew I had to pivot, big time, and the same thing happened with him.”
Sheridan, known for appearances in shows like Sons of Anarchy, struggled to land leading parts and was often sidelined in minor roles. According to Stallone, this reality forced Sheridan to reconsider his path.
“He was a serious actor, but no one was giving him his break,”
Stallone stated, emphasizing that Sheridan’s decision to pursue writing was a means to forge a new career rather than simply a choice driven by creative desire.
The Rise of Taylor Sheridan as a Storytelling Force
Sheridan’s reinvention proved transformative, both for himself and television as a whole. He went on to write critically acclaimed projects such as Sicario, co-create the film Hell or High Water, and build a franchise around Yellowstone and its related series. Stallone shed light on the urgency behind Sheridan’s career shift, sharing personal insight into their similarities.
“He realized the clock was running out, and he had to learn to write. He was always kind of a lonely kid, like I was. I was always making up fantasy stories in the mirror and all that stuff. But I get his dilemma. I get the reason he pursued another career. It isn’t because you wanted to, you had to, or you’re gone. He’s a survivalist,”
Stallone said.
The Unlikely Partnership That Sparked Tulsa King
The relationship between Stallone and Sheridan dates back years before Tulsa King was conceived. They met unexpectedly at a barn where both were horseback riding, instantly bonding over their shared interest. Stallone recalled the meeting with a smile:
“When we finally met—unwittingly at a barn, both riding horses—I started to talk to this kid.”
He recounted asking Sheridan if he could help write the fourth installment of Rambo, to which Sheridan replied he was focused on developing Sicario.
“So he went off in his own direction, and so did I. About ten years later, here he comes with this idea.”
When Sheridan presented Stallone with the concept for Tulsa King, it aligned perfectly with where Stallone was heading in his career, making the collaboration a natural fit.
Stallone’s Shift Toward Dramatic Roles Inspired by Sheridan’s Vision
Having spent most of his career in physically demanding action films, Stallone was ready to explore roles with more dramatic depth.
“My career started out dramatic, then it got very physical, and I wanted to stay in that action genre for a reason,”
he explained. Stallone viewed his action roles as modern mythology, comparing them to heroic figures like Achilles or Hercules. However, he expressed a desire to return to drama, similar to his performance in Rocky, where the fighting scenes were limited in duration.
“But as time moved on, I thought, ‘I want to go back to something like Rocky,’ which was a drama. There’s only six minutes of fighting outta two hours, that’s it. So I thought, ‘But what am I going to do?’”
Taking on the Role of an Out-of-Place Gangster in Tulsa
The opportunity Sheridan offered with Tulsa King provided the challenge Stallone was seeking. He recounted the phone call where Sheridan pitched the idea:
“Taylor Sheridan called me and goes, ‘You want to play a gangster out of water in Tulsa, Oklahoma?’ I go, ‘Oh — now there’s a challenge. Absolutely.’”
Season three of Tulsa King began streaming on September 21 via Paramount+, and the show’s success has already secured a renewal for a fourth season, underscoring the strength of this creative partnership.
