Sylvester Stallone, Cole Hauser Team on Blood Aces Vegas Drama

Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions, Cole Hauser’s American Outlaw Entertainment, and MGM Television are joining forces to develop a television series based on the book Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker by Doug J. Swanson. The show will explore the life of Benny Binion, a legendary figure instrumental in shaping modern Las Vegas gambling, with Hauser set to portray Binion himself.

Blood Aces, published in 2014, traces Binion’s journey from a hustler in Fort Worth, Texas, to a fearsome and influential figure whose impact on poker and rodeo reshaped Vegas culture. The series will be a gritty, character-driven drama spotlighting Binion’s bold methods, including his strategic dominance over competitors, the creation of a family empire, and his manipulation of legal boundaries.

Collaboration Brings Together Industry Veterans and Strong Creative Leadership

Stallone and D. Matt Geller will serve as executive producers for Balboa Productions, while Hauser and Randall Batinkoff represent American Outlaw Entertainment, alongside Jai Stefan. The production team is currently consulting with leading showrunners to finalize the series’ creative direction. Both Stallone and Hauser share representation through IAG, under Jim Osborne, a connection that facilitated their partnership for this adaptation.

Hauser on the Challenge and Opportunity of Portraying Benny Binion

Cole Hauser expressed enthusiasm about embodying one of the most compelling Western American figures of the 20th century. He said,

“Benny Binion is one of the great Western American characters and success stories of the 20th century, loaded with ambition, vision, balls, and like all controversial characters, many flaws. 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.”

Hauser’s involvement both in front of and behind the camera highlights his dedication to bringing the nuanced story of Binion to the screen.

Industry Perspectives on the Story’s Cultural and Narrative Impact

Stallone emphasized the unique appeal and importance of the story, remarking,

“Douglas J. Swanson’s book captures the incredible life of Benny Binion, a New West icon who was a conduit connecting many worlds, some glamorous, some dangerous, some shady, but all intriguing, while helping to build the foundation for both Las Vegas as we know it and the explosive worldwide popularity of poker. 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.”

Lindsay Sloane, Head of Scripted Series at MGM Television, added,

“Benny Binion’s story is a sweeping American saga of ambition, risk, and reinvention, set against the mythic backdrop of a rapidly evolving Las Vegas. With Sylvester Stallone and Cole Hauser at the helm, this project brings together bold, cinematic storytelling and a deeply compelling central performance to explore the origins of modern poker and the high-stakes world that shaped it. We’re thrilled to partner with such an exceptional creative team to deliver a prestige drama that is as gripping and unpredictable as the man at its center.”

Hauser’s Expanding Career and Stallone’s Continued Production Ventures

Cole Hauser, well known for his role as Rip Wheeler on Taylor Sheridan’s hit series Yellowstone, is busy with projects including the Yellowstone spinoff The Dutton Ranch and a forthcoming football drama produced by Skydance and writer Nic Pizzolatto, which Netflix acquired following a bidding contest. Hauser and his American Outlaw Entertainment team are represented by attorney David Krintzman of Yorn, Levine, Barnes.

Meanwhile, Stallone’s Balboa Productions is engaged in filming the fourth season of the Paramount+ series Tulsa King and Amazon MGM’s Vietnam-set action thriller featuring Alan Ritchson as Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton, directed by Patrick Hughes. Recently, Balboa Productions renewed its first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios, indicating ongoing collaboration and future projects. Stallone’s company is represented by Kleinberg Lange Cuddy & Carlo, while Jai Stefan is represented by Fox Rothschild.

Implications and Future Outlook for the Blood Aces Series

The adaptation of Doug J. Swanson’s biography into a television drama promises to reveal the complex world of Benny Binion, blending historical depth with dynamic storytelling. With Stallone and Hauser spearheading the project, supported by MGM’s strong scripted team, Cole Hauser Blood Aces is poised to attract viewers interested in crime sagas, the history of gambling, and Western American legends. The series is expected to deepen cultural understanding of the early Vegas gambling scene while providing intense, character-driven entertainment. As showrunners join the project, further announcements are anticipated regarding casting, production timelines, and release details.