Sylvester Stallone found himself both excited and anxious when Samuel L. Jackson was cast as a new character on Tulsa King season 3, sparking a competitive atmosphere on set. The addition of Jackson introduced fresh tension and energy to the series, marking a notable shift as Stallone’s character Dwight Manfredi faces off with Jackson’s newcomer, Russell Lee Washington, Jr.
Stallone’s Reaction to Sharing the Screen with Samuel L. Jackson
<pWhen Stallone first learned that Jackson would join Tulsa King, he anticipated a fierce rivalry akin to two boxers entering the ring. “When I heard that was gonna happen, I went, 'Oh, this is gonna be a fist fight. This is gonna be a battle. Like two boxers in a ring, and who is gonna throw the first punch? So you’re getting nervous because you’re dealing with serious competition,” Stallone revealed. Despite this initial apprehension, Stallone was relieved to find their on-set relationship collaborative and supportive rather than confrontational. “We could do a show called Tulsa King and Buddy. We just worked that well together,” he added.
A Long-Awaited Collaboration Between Two Hollywood Giants
Despite their legendary careers, Stallone and Jackson had never previously worked together on a project. Their paths nearly crossed in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, where Stallone declined the role of Louis Gara, which ultimately went to Robert De Niro. Over nearly three decades, the actors lived practically next door to each other, but never crossed paths until Tulsa King, largely because of their busy schedules.
Samuel L. Jackson’s Role and New Spinoff Announcement
Jackson’s character, Russell Lee Washington, Jr., is an ex-convict who arrives in Tulsa and immediately clashes with Dwight Manfredi. However, Washington’s presence in Tulsa is temporary, as he is on his way to New Orleans. His role extends through several episodes of season 3 before the story shifts focus to his own spinoff titled NOLA King, which is set to be produced by Taylor Sheridan. The spinoff will explore Washington’s new life in New Orleans, continuing the universe Sheridan has built.
Changes Behind the Scenes and What’s Next for the Franchise
The transition to NOLA King has introduced some behind-the-scenes changes, notably the departure of original Tulsa King showrunner Dave Erickson due to scheduling conflicts. Production for the spinoff is planned to begin in February 2026. Meanwhile, Tulsa King season 3 has been airing new episodes since its September 21 premiere on Paramount+, receiving critical applause for juggling complex character dynamics effectively. A review by ScreenRant described the season as the series’ strongest to date, praising its promising narrative direction.
Expanded Cast and Character Shifts in Tulsa King Season 3
Season 3 of Tulsa King introduces new cast members Robert Patrick, Bella Heathcote, and Kevin Pollak, diversifying the storylines as some familiar faces exit. Notably, Andrea Savage and Domenick Lombardozzi, who played major roles in previous seasons, have left the show. Lombardozzi’s character Chickie was killed off by Bill, portrayed by Frank Grillo, whereas Savage’s Stacy, a disgraced ATF agent, was reassigned to Alaska. These departures have paved the way for the evolving interactions between the returning and new characters.
Season 3 Finale and Future Prospects
The current Tulsa King season 3 is set to conclude with its finale on November 23. The series’ continuation is already confirmed, with season 4 in the pipeline, promising further developments in the lives of Dwight Manfredi and the expanding Tulsa King universe. The tensions born from Stallone’s rivalry with Jackson and the introduction of fresh story arcs will be significant factors shaping the series’ future.
