For decades now, Sylvester Stallone has carefully crafted an image of excellence and influence. From Rocky to Rambo, he has plenty of iconic projects that showcase the effect that he has had on the action genre, laying the foundations of what it is today. However, even though he was impactful, his significant roles took over his talent as an actor. That was until Tulsa King.
Before being a part of the Taylor Sheridan series, Stallone wasn’t necessarily known for his capabilities as an actor but for the iconic roles that he played. However, after playing the role of Dwight Manfredi, it was as though he broke the shell that Balboa and Rambo had made for him.
So much so that even the villain of the next season of the beloved series cannot help but praise the actor’s talents.
Neal McDonough Adores Sylvester Stallone’s Performance in Tulsa King
Recently, Neal McDonough gave an interview with HeyUGuys, where he talked about his role as Cal Thresher in Tulsa King. In this, he also talked about Sylvester Stallone’s performance in the series, which has been especially praised by viewers and critics alike.
Stallone has always been very close to his Italian roots, with his father being an Italian immigrant and him showcasing his culture quite a lot through his performances. Despite this, fans did not see him star in the iconic Italian crime films when he was at his peak.
You know, he never got to be in the Scorsese films. He never got to be in the Coppola films, you know? So he never got to tap into that Italianism that he truly embraces and really is. He’s remarkable as Dwight Manfredi you know? You look at it and… we were watching it again yesterday, my wife, Ruve, and I, and just kind of marveling at the fact that how has he never played this character before?
McDonough spoke on exactly this during his interview, mentioning that it is almost criminal that Stallone did not get to star in works like The Godfather and Goodfellas to showcase his roots. He mentioned that he was watching the Taylor Sheridan series and wondered this very question over and over with his wife, questioning why his potential wasn’t fully used by the industry.
Neal McDonough Is Honored To Work With Sylvester Stallone
In the series, Neal McDonough is playing the role of a very clear antagonist to Sylvester Stallone’s protagonist. He shakes up dynamics and comes into the story in quite an interesting fashion. While the character of Cal Thresher does enjoy shifting the equilibrium of the series, the same cannot be said for the actor, who cannot help but admire the legend that he is working with.
During the interview, McDonough mentioned that Stallone’s performance as Dwight Manfredi is excellent in every way possible. He pointed out that the two characters share quite an interesting and powerful dynamic, and the ability to have something like that with someone as successful as Stallone is a dream come true for him.
Now let’s jump to season two, where I come in as this, you know, kind of fish out of water. It’s a whole new, different world for my character to see this Italian tough city guy in Oklahoma. And immediately, it’s just the two of us just butt heads and to butt heads with one of the greatest actors of all time was such a joy for me, Scott. That I got to be free. I got to do whatever I wanted to within the confines of this character that we built.
McDonough even mentioned that he enjoys the liberty he gets with the character that he plays, being allowed to make his own decisions for the fate of his character. He did clarify though that his creative expression does not exit the boundaries set by Stallone and others who helped shape Thresher’s character.