The departure of Kevin Costner from Yellowstone has sparked worries that Sylvester Stallone may also depart from Tulsa King due to the show’s rigorous production schedule. Given that Tulsa King heavily depends on Stallone’s character, his exit could have a profound impact on the show’s overall success. However, Taylor Sheridan can take a cue from the drama surrounding Costner’s departure and proactively find ways to avoid a similar situation with Stallone in Tulsa King.
Fans of Taylor Sheridan’s work have reason to be concerned as Kevin Costner’s departure from Yellowstone due to behind-the-scenes drama means he will not be part of the show’s final episodes when the second half of season 5 premieres in late 2024. Costner played the main protagonist, John Dutton III, since the pilot episode, and his absence could have a significant impact on the show’s success. With this in mind, there are fears that one of Sheridan’s other series, such as Tulsa King, which heavily relies on Sylvester Stallone’s character, could also face similar issues. Sheridan has an opportunity to learn from the drama surrounding Costner’s exit and find ways to prevent a similar situation with Stallone in Tulsa King.
Taylor Sheridan’s popular television series Yellowstone is set to come to an abrupt end when the second half of season 5 premieres in late 2024. Unfortunately, fans of Sheridan’s work have good reason to be worried that one of his other series will experience the same heartbreak. Kevin Costner, who has played the main protagonist John Dutton III since the pilot episode, will not be reprising his role in part two of the neo-Western show’s last season due to scheduling conflicts and disagreements with producers. The drama surrounding Costner’s exit and the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have caused production on the second half of season 5 to be delayed, with a premiere date almost two years after the part one finale. As a result, when Yellowstone season 5, part 2 does air, it will look very different without Costner’s presence. This has led to concerns that another Paramount series by Sheridan may follow the same path as Costner in Yellowstone.
Tulsa King Could Repeat History After Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Exit
The Paramount+ series Tulsa King, created by Taylor Sheridan, features Sylvester Stallone as the lead character, Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a Mafia capo who establishes criminal enterprises in Tulsa, Oklahoma after being released from prison. While the show was renewed for a second season shortly after its debut in late 2022 to early 2023, there are indications that Stallone may follow in the footsteps of Kevin Costner and depart from the series. As with Yellowstone, Stallone’s absence would significantly alter the show’s dynamic.
Like Costner, Stallone has expressed his concerns about the demanding schedule of his show. In a 2022 interview with Variety, Stallone joked about the possibility of shooting Tulsa King in his Palm Beach home, saying that it would be nice if his wife and kids could visit the set. However, he also acknowledged that it’s a big decision. Although Stallone has signed on for season 2 of Tulsa King, it seems that he may not be interested in continuing with the show beyond that. Whether or not he ultimately follows in Costner’s footsteps remains to be seen.
Stallone’s Exit Would Be A Bigger Problem For Tulsa King Than Costner & Yellowstone
While it’s certainly sad to see Kevin Costner leave Yellowstone, the show has a solid foundation and talented cast that can carry it forward. In contrast, Sylvester Stallone is the heart and soul of Tulsa King, and without him, the show would lose its meaning and appeal. Yellowstone has had more time to develop its world and characters, making it less reliant on any one actor. In contrast, Tulsa King is still in its early stages and would likely struggle to maintain its momentum without Stallone’s star power.
If Stallone’s attitude towards making television remains unchanged from his experience during the first season of the Paramount+ show, it is unlikely that he will agree to film additional episodes beyond season 2. Although his character is the namesake of Tulsa King, it seems that Stallone has no intention of staying until the end of the series beyond season 2. If the actor decides to depart, Sheridan would face a significant challenge in continuing Tulsa King without Stallone, as the show’s foundation would be severely compromised without him.
Tulsa King Can Learn From Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner Exit Drama
Additionally, Stallone’s departure would undoubtedly be a significant loss for the show, given that his character is the namesake of the series. However, it’s important to note that the success of a show doesn’t solely rely on one actor. While Stallone’s presence undoubtedly adds to the appeal of the show, there are other talented actors and compelling storylines that could keep viewers engaged even without him. Ultimately, it will be up to Sheridan and the rest of the creative team to ensure that Tulsa King remains a captivating and successful series, regardless of Stallone’s involvement.
While Yellowstone season 5, part 2 is scheduled to debut in November 2024, there is currently no release date for Tulsa King season 2. However, with Taylor Sheridan’s experience in dealing with the departure of a lead actor, such as Kevin Costner in Yellowstone, he should be able to address any potential issues that may arise if Sylvester Stallone decides not to return for the crime drama’s second season on Paramount+.