An Atlanta casting agency has reportedly accused Sylvester Stallone of mistreating extras on the set of his Paramount+ series Tulsa King.
Rose Locke Casting of Atlanta announced earlier this month that it parted ways from Tulsa King. “We have chosen to part ways with Tulsa King,” the company stated on Facebook. We will be finishing up next week and the 12th will be our last day.”
However, in a private Facebook group for Atlanta-based background actors, extras opened up about what exactly happened between her casting company and Sylvester Stallone’s hit series.
The extras claimed that Stallone and an unnamed director were referring to extras as being “ugly,” “tub of lard,” and the “fat guy with cane.”
The alleged recipient of the “fat guy” remark stated it “hurt his soul” to be described that way. The set was dubbed a “toxic environment” for extras.
Along with the harsh remarks, Sylvester Stallone was accused of suggesting the production should bring in “pretty young girls” to be around him.
Locke also urged her clients to reach out if they heard or experienced such instances on the Tulsa King set. Writer Julia Benson shared screenshots of the comments made in the Facebook group. Benson is not affiliated with Tulsa King.
“Got this disturbing news from my Atlanta friend who’s background on Tulsa King this [week],” she wrote. “[The] casting agent quit because she was so disgusted. My friend is feeling anxious about working now.”
She also tagged Sylvester Stallone to address the accusations. “What do you have to say for yourself, sir?” she added. “Beyond disappointed, I’m livid.”
‘Tulsa King’ Director Craig Zisk Speaks Out About the Allegations Towards Sylvester Stallone
Meanwhile, Craig Zisk, the director and executive producer of Tulsa King, told TMZ no insults were made towards the extras. He then said Locke improperly cast the roles. Zisk said the extras were supposed to be “hip, young bar” and in the 25 to 35 age range.
Locke’s extras were considerably older. Zisk pointed out that he used the extras for the scene. “They were ‘polite and did their jobs,’” he confirmed.
Zisk also said Locke was supposed to send headshots of the extras to determine if they would be a good fit for the show. The casting agent said she “didn’t work that way.”
After he told her headshots were necessary, Locke quit. Zisk then stated Sylvester Stallone didn’t say anything about having “pretty girls” around him on set. He noted the actor’s wife, Jennifer Flavin, had been on the set during filming.