Does Sylvester Stallone need an introduction more than a fish needs a bicycle? It’s probably fair to say that even at the ripe old age of 78, the legend is still in great health, with muscles still sculpted enough to give men half his age a run for their money.
While the roles of Rambo and Rocky, which represent Stallone’s tough, tough personality, have brought him a lot of attention, they are just the tip of the iceberg of his extensive career. Stepping into the shoes of these characters was a no-brainer for Stallone, allowing him to flex his acting muscles, which, let’s face it, was a no-brainer for him after so many sequels and fight scenes.
But Taylor Sheridan’s comedy crime series, Tulsa King, showed a mixture of Stallone’s raw toughness, spiced with his sharp wit and unique quirks. But did you know that the actor originally YellowstoneMastermind for a Rambo Continuation? The meeting eventually led to the production of Tulsa King.
Sylvester Stallone’s collaboration with Taylor Sheridan: The missed opportunity
If you think that Rocky Balboa’s ring or Rambo’s unforgiving jungles were the ultimate examples of Sylvester Stallone’s talent, you are wrong. Tulsa Kinga new chapter in which the actor embodies the weathered but still powerful Dwight Manfredi.
Not to rub salt into the wound, but Ramboinstead of Rocky Balboawas the engine that set the gears in motion and eventually led to King of Tulsa. During a 2022 press conference with Den of Geek and other media outlets, Stallone and showrunner Terrence Winter discussed the origins of this Paramount+ series in detail.
Stallone told a fascinating anecdote: his first meeting with Taylor Sheridan on a Rambo Sequel that paved the way for King of Tulsa. The story goes that before Sheridan became a household name, Yellowstonehe was approached by the First blood Actor who wrote the script for a Rambo Film. Stallone said:
It’s kind of interesting because I met Taylor a while ago when I was riding in California and he was working on Sicario at the time and I wanted him to write the script for Rambo because I was getting lazy.
Although this specific project never materialized, the connection between the two creative minds was forged. Fast forward, and Sheridan’s star began to rise, especially with his success at Yellowstoneknown for its powerful storylines and star-studded cast, including legends like Kevin Costner and Kelly Reilly.
Stallone then mused:
We kept going and nothing happened, and then he had great success with Yellowstone.
Meanwhile, Stallone returned to his legendary role as Vietnam veteran John Rambo in 2019. Rambo: Last Blood, a full eleven years after his previous Rambo Movie.
Taylor Sheridan on the phenomenon of YellowstoneSuccess
Have you ever wondered what it takes for a television show to create vibrations that affect an entire industry? The enormous success of Yellowstonea modern benchmark in neo-western drama, has sparked a gold rush of sorts, with studios and production companies jumping on the genre. Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind this Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, may raise eyebrows at this trend.
Sheridan expressed doubts about the industry’s apparent interest in the genre in a Variety interview:
So I don’t know if that’s flattering, because I don’t think they’re doing it because Yellowstone is good – they’re doing it because 15 million people are watching it.
Since its premiere in 2018 Yellowstone has redefined the neo-western landscape with its captivating storytelling and left an indelible mark that will culminate with the highly anticipated final season in November 2024.
Although Sheridan never had his name on a Rambo project, his desire to work with Stallone never wavered. And as they say, the rest is history. The fusion of Sheridan’s storytelling genius and Stallone’s indomitable spirit drove Tulsa King straight into the hearts of fans, old and new.
The second half YellowstoneThe fifth season will be available on November 10, 2024.
Rambo streams on Max, while Yellowstone and Tulsa King are available on Peacock+.
