The Rambo franchise is heading back to the beginning. A prequel film titled John Rambo is officially in development, with Sisu director Jalmari Helander attached to direct. The announcement was made during the Cannes market by Millennium Media, the production company behind The Expendables and Rambo: Last Blood.
Rather than revisiting the hardened veteran audiences came to know in First Blood, this new entry will focus on a younger Rambo during his formative years in the Vietnam War. The script comes from writers Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, known for Black Adam and The Mauritanian. Filming is scheduled to begin in October in Thailand.
Producer Jonathan Yunger, speaking to Deadline, described the project as both a tribute and a fresh start. “We are thrilled to introduce a fresh new chapter to the Rambo legacy. This project is a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history that will appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences alike,” he said. Yunger also praised Helander as “a filmmaker of exceptional vision and energy.”
Helander himself expressed deep personal excitement at the opportunity. “I have been the biggest fan of Rambo since the age of 11,” he said. “It is so surreal to be in a situation where I can actually make my own Rambo movie. The chain of events that got me here makes, in a fantastic way, my whole childhood make sense.”
Sylvester Stallone, who originated the role in 1982’s First Blood, is not currently involved in the production. However, producers have left the possibility open for his participation in some capacity, depending on how the project evolves. Interestingly, Stallone has already revealed his pick to take over the role of Rambo—Ryan Gosling—during an appearance on The Tonight Show, last year.
John Rambo joins a growing trend of legacy franchises digging into the past. With casting still underway, the search is on to find an actor who can portray the grit, trauma, and complexity of a soldier before he became an icon. Whether this new chapter can redefine Rambo for a new generation remains to be seen, but expectations will be high.
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