Cole Hauser and Sylvester Stallone are collaborating on a new drama series titled Blood Aces, centered on the story of Benny Binion, a pivotal figure in Las Vegas poker history. The series, set to be produced by MGM, draws from Doug J. Swanson’s 2014 book Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker, highlighting how Binion transformed Las Vegas into a top gambling destination.
Hauser will portray Benny Binion, the former Texas casino operator who relocated to Las Vegas and reshaped the city’s gambling landscape. This drama will explore Binion’s ambition, flaws, and lasting impact on the gambling world, reflecting the intense and complex nature of the figure and his legacy. This project marks a significant addition to Cole Hauser’s repertoire and reunites him with Stallone, adding tension and anticipation for audiences familiar with their previous roles.
Behind the Project: Vision, Cast, and Creative Input
Cole Hauser expressed enthusiasm about playing Binion, emphasizing the character’s dynamic nature.
“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,”
Hauser said.
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.
— Cole Hauser, Actor and Producer
The project brings together Hauser and Stallone not only as actors but as producers, with Stallone highlighting the fit between Hauser and the role.
This is a story that will captivate audiences, and it’s a role made for Cole Hauser to play,
Stallone stated.
I am proud and excited to partner with Cole to bring this story to life.
Context within MGM’s Expanding Programming and Actors’ Other Commitments
Blood Aces is part of MGM’s strategy to enhance its premium streaming service, MGM+, which became an Amazon Prime Video add-on following its acquisition in March 2022. MGM+ features original series like Godfather of Harlem, the sci-fi horror show From, and the thriller Vanished starring Kaley Cuoco, striving to offer compelling new content to subscribers.
As Stallone prepares for the upcoming fourth season of Tulsa King, expected later this year or early next, Hauser is equally occupied. Following the conclusion of the Yellowstone series, where he played Rip Wheeler, Hauser is set to star in a sequel spin-off called Dutton Ranch for Paramount+, scheduled for release this year. Additionally, Hauser is involved in a new American football drama for Netflix, written by True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto, alongside Matthew McConaughey, playing brothers with a complex bond.
Significance and Anticipated Impact on Television Landscape
This collaboration between Hauser and Stallone taps into a story deeply rooted in American gambling and Western culture, promising to deliver a drama packed with grit and ambition. The portrayal of Benny Binion brings a figure whose influence on Las Vegas poker remains unmatched, potentially drawing both fans of crime dramas and historical narratives.
With tensions high around streaming competition and original content demand, Blood Aces represents MGM’s hopeful move to carve out a stronger foothold on Amazon Prime Video through dramatic storytelling. For the actors, this project is an opportunity to delve into characters with layered histories while continuing to build their careers across television’s evolving platforms.
