“Who Is Gonna Throw The First Punch?”

Sylvester Stallone thought he might have to go Rocky-mode with his new Tulsa King season 3 co-star, an actor with an even more formidable resume than his own.

The casting of Samuel L. Jackson as a new Tulsa King character indeed put Stallone in a nervous state right away, the Dwight Manfredi actor revealed in a new interview (via People):

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 was relieved when his on-set relationship with Jackson proved harmonious rather than antagonistic. “We could do a show called Tulsa King and Buddy. We just worked that well together.”

Stallone and Jackson had never worked together before sharing the screen Tulsa Kingdespite the astronomical odds against their two expansive filmographies never overlapping. They could have starred together in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brownbut Stallone turned down the role of Louis Gara (Robert De Niro ultimately nabbed the part).

Stallone himself expresses astonishment that he and Jackson had never before crossed paths professionally. He told People they were practically next-door neighbors for nearly 30 years, but never saw each other except at events, chalking the situation up to both of them being very busy actors.

Brian Douglas/Paramount+

The ever-employed Jackson’s involvement in Tulsa King season 3 was teased by a trailer released before the premiere episode. The Oscar nominee plays Russell Lee Washington, Jr., an ex-con who comes into conflict with Stallone’s Manfredi after he arrives in Tulsa.

But Washington is indeed only passing through Dwight’s turf on his way to New Orleans. It was revealed back in June that after being featured in a multi-episode Tulsa King bow, Jackson will star in his own spinoff show NOLA Kingfrom producer Taylor Sheridan.

NOLA King would not be a Sheridan universe show if there weren’t some behind-the-scenes turmoil, and indeed, original showrunner Dave Erickson has already left, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. The show will reportedly go before cameras in February 2026.

Sheridan and Stallone’s own series has been serving up new episodes since its September 21 premiere on Paramount+. ScreenRant‘s review of Tulsa King season 3 called it the show’s best yet, praising its expert juggling of its many characters’ different conflicts, and saying “The dynamics of this season are incredibly promising for (the show’s) future.”

That future will include Tulsa King season 4nor has already been confirmed.

In addition to Jackson, the currently-unfolding Tulsa King season 3 stirs new cast members Robert Patrick, Bella Heathcote, and Kevin Pollak into the mix. Andrea Savage and Domenick Lombardozzi were the two most notable main cast members to depart after season 2.

Tulsa King‘s new episode is the season 3 finale, and premieres on November 23.

Release Date

September 21, 2025

NETWORKS

Paramount+

Episodes

10