How Sylvester Stallone’s Role in Tulsa King Redeems His Box Office Flop from 25 Years Ago

Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Dwight “The General”Manfredi in the Paramount+ original series Tulsa King has captured audiences’ attention, showcasing a significant contrast to the actor’s recent film endeavors. This performance also serves as a redemption for Stallone, revisiting themes from his 2000 role in Get Carter, an American adaptation of the British crime thriller. While both characters find themselves displaced from their original bases, Tulsa King leverages Stallone’s imposing physicality and often overlooked comedic talent to bring a richer, more nuanced performance to the screen.

At the core of this character lies Dwight Manfredi’s multi-faceted personality, marked by depth and relatability that invites viewers to engage deeply with his journey. As a mafia kingpin navigating the complexities of life in the American Southwest, Dwight transcends the stereotypical aging action hero roles that have become all too predictable. What’s more, audiences eagerly anticipate the return of both Stallone and the intriguing narrative with a pending third season of Tulsa King on the horizon.

Tulsa King: A Better Adaptation than Get Carter

Dwight Manfredi: One of Stallone’s Best Performances Yet

While there are undeniable parallels between Tulsa King and Stallone’s earlier film Get Carter, the quality of storytelling in the series far exceeds that of the 2000 film. In Get Carter, Stallone’s portrayal of Jack Carter—a mob enforcer embroiled in a personal quest for vengeance—felt disjointed and poorly executed. Conversely, Tulsa King revitalizes Stallone’s craft as he embodies Manfredi, who operates with the complexity of a modern-day Tony Soprano. In the latter, Stallone not only exhibits physical prowess but also commandingly delivers lines that reinforce his character’s depth.

Tulsa King: Stallone’s Most Significant Role to Date

Moving Beyond Franchises and Mediocre Action Films

After a string of subpar action films, including the critically panned Armor and Alarum, both of which earned a shocking 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, Stallone appears to have rediscovered his cinematic footing. With iconic franchises like Rocky and Rambo now firmly in his past, and the disappointing box office outcomes of recent installments like Expend4bles, Stallone seems poised for a triumphant return as a mafia figure taking on the American heartland.

Sylvester Stallone’s Recent Live-Action Film Reviews	Rotten Tomatoes Score
Samaritan (2022)	38%
Expend4bles (2023)	14%
Armor (2024)	0%
Wings (2025)	0%

The character of Dwight Manfredi is a much-needed addition to television, offering complexity and intrigue that has been absent from the small screen for years. Stallone’s compelling performance anchors the show, and it is crucial for him to continue delivering this caliber of acting as both Tulsa King grows its audience and he seeks to reinvigorate his storied career.

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