Sylvester Stallone Teams Up With 'Yellowstone' Star For Vegas-Set Drama

Sylvester Stallone is set to executive produce an upcoming drama about Benny Binion, the man credited with "building the foundation of modern Vegas gambling". Yellowstone star Cole Hauser will play the lead role (via Deadline).

The series will be adapted from Doug J. Swanson's book "Blood Aces: The Wide Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker". The book was published in 2014 and details Binion's rise from a violent gangster in Fort Worth to the entrepreneur who redefined the Las Vegas circuit. The show will reportedly be a "gritty, character-driven prestige series."

Cole Hauser Will Play The Role Of Benny Binion

Hauser is best known for his role as Rip Wheeler in Taylor Sheridan's hugely popular Western series Yellowstone, which follows ranch-owning family the Duttons as they fight off internal and external conflicts to protect their land. Hauser will next appear in Yellowstone spinoff, The Dutton Ranch.

"Benny Binion is one of the great Western American characters and success stories of the 20th century," Hauser announced in a statement on Tuesday. "His legacy is undeniable. How he built it is an incredible story which we can’t wait to tell. It’s a privilege to play him and an honor to produce this with Sylvester Stallone and MGM to bring this incredible story to life.”

Stallone added to the announcement: "This is a story that will captivate audiences, and it’s a role made for Cole Hauser to play. I am proud and excited to partner with Cole to bring this story to life.”

The series will be produced by Stallone's own company Balboa Productions, which is currently filming the fourth season of Tulsa King for Paramount+. Stallone is also working on an untitled Vietnam-set action thriller about U.S. Navy Seal Mike Thornton. Balboa Productions and Amazon MGM will collaborate on Blood Aces, continuing their strong working partnership.