TULSA, Okla. — Sylvester Stallone’s character in “Tulsa King” was banished to T-Town, and now it appears production for the series will be done out of state.
The Oklahoma Film + Music Office said it has not been contacted about filming the second season of the Paramount+ show, which was renewed in November 2022.
“The production certainly shined a bright spotlight on our state’s film and television industry,” it said in a statement.
“Tulsa King” was shot in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, supported by incentives from the “Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021.”
OF+MO said it has gotten 116 applications for the state’s film incentive since July 1, 2022.
Some Tulsans who have streamed the show, toasted its debut, and helped make it are upset about the possibility of the show being made somewhere else.
“I feel like they’re breaking up with us,” said Tulsan Adam Shepherd.
“It’s called ‘Tulsa King’,” pointed out Tulsan Riley Nix. “Why should we have it anywhere else?”
Jeanette Stanton, director of the Oklahoma Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture, told NewsChannel 8 in November that no production has ever brought in more money.
“’Tulsa King’ is actually the largest scripted television series to hit Oklahoma,” she said.
It also put Tulsa on the global stage.
“I think Tulsa sometimes gets a bad rap and I think it will show that it’s still a beautiful city,” said Tulsans Alicia Kane. “I’m excited that other people can see it.”
Shooting the series was strenuous for Stallone, who wrapped up production in Oklahoma back in September 2022.
He began production in early 2022, where he referred to Oklahoma as “the Paris of the Southwest.”
Several days of shooting during the summer were searing, with temperatures in the triple digits.
“Being in Oklahoma has definitely prepared me for a lifetime in hell if I ever got sent there,” Stallone wrote on Instagram.
Fans hope the steamy summer won’t scare Sly away from the Sooner state for good.
“I’d beg him to stay in town,” said Shepherd. “Stay in town, it’s perfect here.”
Prairie Surf Media, the Oklahoma City film studio where much of the show was shot, shared the statement below with NewsChannel 8.
“We loved hosting this incredible series for its first season and wish them the best wherever they land. Tulsa King’s success is undoubtedly a sign of the bright future for the burgeoning film and television industry in Oklahoma.
As we continue to grow this industry into something that competes with states like Georgia and California, we can’t be disappointed if productions need to go somewhere else to fulfill their financial needs. This was a win for Oklahoma.
While Tulsa King may have been the first series of this scale to come to Oklahoma, it’s certainly not the last, and that’s exciting for Prairie Surf Media, Oklahoma City and the entire state of Oklahoma.”