Background actors in the Atlanta area have a private Facebook page where they can detail their experiences on various sets. The moderator of the page wrote in a post that Sylvester Stallone was overheard asking director Craig Zisk: “What the F*** is up with these f***ing ugly background.” He and Zisk were then overheard calling them names, such as “Tub of lard,” and “fat guy with cane,” and laughing at them.
The man referenced in the latter comment responded that he’d overheard the put-down and it “hurt his soul” to be described that way.
Rose Locke Casting had been asked to provide background actors 18 and over for a casino scene. As soon as Rose Locke heard what was going on, she visited the set the next day “to see what was happening. At the end of the day I resigned because it was a clear toxic environment.”
The news was then announced on Sunday on the Rose Locke Casting page on Facebook: “We wanted to send you an update on the happenings here in our casting world. We have chosen to part ways with Tulsa King. We will be finishing up next week and the 12th will be our last day… We thank all of you great background artists for your continued support.”
The details have been getting around Hollywood and not only are other background artists’ agencies disgusted by what happened, but others in the industry have weighed in, including Star Trek: Prodigy writer/producer Julie Benson, who tweeted on X:
Dee Dee McDaniel Simmons, who runs a Facebook page for Background Actors/Crew in Charleston, South Carolina, posted on Monday, April 8, 2024:
“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. Sadly it seems Sly Stallone and crew made things miserable for the background artists and many have said the set was completely unprofessional and a total mess. Although I have not personally worked with Rose Locke & CL Casting… I have great respect for them for pulling out of the project and looking out for their background artists.”
Director Zisk denies that any disparaging remarks about the background performers were made and blames the casting director for not casting younger background actors for the scene. A source close to the show said they are looking into the matter. ~Alexandra Heilbron