Sylvester Stallone accused of disparaging “Tulsa King” background actors

Jessica Wang
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The Atlanta-based casting company has reportedly resigned from production as a result.

There might be trouble on the frontier on the Atlanta set of Tulsa King.

Atlanta-based casting company CL Casting has parted ways with the Paramount+ crime drama claiming that the set was a “clear toxic environment.” The company confirmed its exit from the series via Facebook on Monday, just a few weeks into the start of production on season 2.

TV writer Julie Benson, who has no affiliation with the series, shared screenshots that suppose the casting company’s departure was related to allegations that background actors on the set were disparaged by star Sylvester Stallone. One screenshot of a Facebook post claims Stallone was "observed calling the director over and saying, 'What the f--- is up with these f---ing ugly background'" actors. Stallone and the director, Craig Zisk, allegedly "proceeded to call certain people terrible names and laughed at them."

Zisk denied the allegations to TMZ, stating that no disparaging comments were made and that the extras were "improperly" cast for a scene in a bar that required actors in the younger range. He also told TMZ that the casting supervisor was not on set on the day of the alleged incident.

Sources close to the show told Entertainment Weekly that production recently became aware of the posts and are looking into the matter.

EW has reached out to Stallone, Zisk, CL Casting, and Paramount+ for comment.

<p>Brian Douglas/Paramount+</p> Sylvester Stallone in 'Tulsa King'

Brian Douglas/Paramount+

Sylvester Stallone in 'Tulsa King'

The admin of another Facebook casting group, Charleston SC Background Actors/Crew, shared the same screenshot as Benson and wrote, "Several groups are talking about what happened on the set of Tulsa King filming in Atlanta. At first I had hoped it was just a bad rumor started by 1 person who may have felt some type of way, but there have been countless people who were on set and have stated what they saw, how they were treated, etc.... I have great respect for them for pulling out of the project and looking out for their background artists."

A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA told The Hollywood Reporter that “there is no room on any set for disparaging comments to background actors or any performers," adding, "Though we have not been contacted directly about the incident on set of Tulsa King in Atlanta, SAG-AFTRA is committed to the safety and well being of cast members on all productions.”

While the union does sometimes represent background actors, the spokesperson said that its "TV/Theatrical agreements do not cover background actors" in Atlanta. They continued, “We are here to support with guidance if requested.”

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