Yellowstone Spin-Off Blood Aces Trailer | First Look

Yellowstone Spin-Off Blood Aces Trailer | First Look explodes onto the scene with a promise of ambition, danger, and the raw mythmaking energy that made Yellowstone a cultural force. This time, however, the dust and cattle trails give way to poker tables, smoky backrooms, and the neon blaze of a desert city rising from nothing. At the center of it all stands a man who doesn’t just play the game—he reinvents it.

Fans of Yellowstone have long associated grit and dominance with Cole Howser’s portrayal of Rip Wheeler. Now, Howser steps into the boots of a different kind of outlaw—Benny Binion, the Texas gambler whose name became synonymous with high stakes and higher ambition. The trailer frames this new series not as a direct continuation of the Dutton saga, but as a spiritual successor: a Western epic disguised as a crime drama, trading ranch wars for casino empires.

Backed by the powerhouse collaboration of Sylvester Stallone and Howser himself, the series adapts Blood Aces by Doug J. Swanson. Produced through Stallone’s Balboa Productions and Howser’s American Outlaw Entertainment in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, the project signals scale from the outset. This isn’t a modest character study. It’s the chronicle of a man who helped carve modern Las Vegas out of the desert and transformed poker into a global obsession.

The trailer opens in Fort Worth, Texas—dust swirling through stockyards, deals whispered in back alleys. Benny is introduced as a hustler with a gambler’s grin and a predator’s patience. He’s small-time at first, running modest operations, learning how to read men the way others read cards. But even in these early scenes, the series plants its thesis: Benny doesn’t intend to stay small. He sees opportunity where others see limits.

From Fort Worth, the story shifts to Dallas. The stakes grow larger, the risks more lethal. Rival operators challenge him. Law enforcement circles. Yet Benny thrives in the chaos. The trailer hints at betrayals and narrow escapes, suggesting that his climb to power leaves casualties in its wake. Unlike a traditional hero, he is painted in shades of gray—brilliant, bold, but deeply flawed. His charm opens doors; his ruthlessness keeps them closed behind him.

The pivotal turn comes when Benny sets his sights on Las Vegas. At this point, the series expands visually and thematically. The desert skyline flickers with possibility. The trailer shows construction crews, smoky card rooms, and the early bones of what will become glittering casinos. Benny doesn’t merely want to operate in Vegas—he wants to define it.

Historically known as the driving force behind the creation of the World Series of Poker, Benny’s most enduring legacy is teased in dramatic fashion. The trailer builds to the first high-stakes tournament, chips stacked high under glaring lights. The message is clear: this isn’t just about one man’s fortune. It’s about inventing a spectacle that would ripple across the globe. Poker, once a smoky pastime, becomes a worldwide phenomenon under his vision.

Howser’s portrayal appears to channel echoes of Rip Wheeler—controlled intensity, unwavering loyalty to his own code—but Benny is a different breed. Where Rip is bound by devotion to family and land, Benny is driven by ambition and reinvention. The trailer suggests a character constantly straddling worlds: Western traditionalist and modern entrepreneur, outlaw and businessman, visionary and villain.

The creative DNA of Taylor Sheridan looms large, even without official confirmation of his involvement. Sheridan’s knack for exploring American myth—through land, loyalty, and legacy—feels embedded in the show’s tone. There are visual cues reminiscent of his storytelling style: sweeping landscapes contrasted with intimate confrontations, men of few words making decisions that alter destinies. Whether as consultant, guest contributor, or silent influence, his presence is felt in the bones of the narrative.

Stallone’s fingerprints are equally evident. Though primarily positioned behind the camera, his legacy of portraying ambitious, resilient figures—most famously in the Rocky franchise—adds another layer of resonance. In interviews teased within the promotional buzz, Stallone praises Benny as a “New West icon,” someone who bridged glamorous and dangerous worlds alike. The trailer reflects that duality: tuxedos and gunmetal, champagne and blood.

As the preview unfolds, it becomes clear that Benny’s empire isn’t built without conflict. Rivals emerge, some charming, others openly hostile. Political forces attempt to rein him in. Personal relationships strain under the weight of his ambition. The narrative promises not just triumph, but consequences. Every deal has a cost. Every victory invites retaliation.

One of the most intriguing elements is how the show mirrors Yellowstone thematically without crossing over narratively. Both stories revolve around power—who holds it, who challenges it, and what it demands in return. In Yellowstone, it’s land and lineage. In Blood Aces, it’s money and myth. But the moral questions remain the same: How far will a man go to build something lasting? And what does he sacrifice in the process?

The trailer also hints at potential cameo appearances from actors familiar to Sheridan’s broader universe, though nothing is confirmed. The tone suggests a shared creative ecosystem rather than a literal crossover. If recognizable faces appear, it will likely be as homage rather than continuity—a nod to loyal fans who appreciate the interconnected spirit of these productions.

Visually, the series appears expansive. From dusty Texas plains to the neon birth of Las Vegas, the cinematography contrasts old and new America. There’s a sense that Benny himself embodies that transition—a bridge between frontier grit and corporate spectacle. Scenes of rodeos blend seamlessly into poker tournaments, reinforcing the idea that risk-taking is the common thread.

Benny’s characterization stands at the center of the show’s emotional pull. According to Howser’s own remarks, he views Benny as one of the great Western American figures of the twentieth century: ambitious, visionary, fearless, and deeply imperfect. The trailer leans into those contradictions. Moments of tenderness—perhaps with family or close allies—are juxtaposed against cold strategic decisions that secure his dominance.

As for release timing, the scale of production suggests patience will be required. Industry chatter points toward a likely 2027 premiere, allowing time for the meticulous recreation of mid-century Vegas and the layered storytelling such an epic demands. If the trailer is any indication, the wait will be justified. Aces Trailer | First Look positions the series as more than a biography. It frames Benny Binion as a symbol of American reinvention. The show doesn’t ask viewers to idolize him blindly. Instead, it invites them to witness the messy, dangerous process of building a legacy from scratch.

In the closing moments of the trailer, Benny stands alone on a casino floor, lights blazing overhead. The camera lingers as he surveys his kingdom—half triumph, half warning etched across his face. The message is unmistakable: empires aren’t inherited; they’re seized.

For fans craving another saga of power, ambition, and moral complexity in the spirit of Yellowstone, this first look promises a high-stakes ride. The cattle may be gone, replaced by cards and cash, but the Western soul remains intact. And at its center stands a man determined to bet everything on himself.