One of the most legendary characters in cinema history is returning to theatres, though for the first time in a live-action project, Sylvester Stallone won't be the one on screen. Instead, Noah Centineo, known for his role in 'The Recruit,' has been cast to play a younger version of the character in a prequel titled John Rambo.
The story will focus on his early years as a Green Beret during the Vietnam War. Even though he isn't starring, Stallone recently shared on Instagram that he has officially joined the project as an executive producer.
Image Courtesy: People
Filming of 'Rambo'
Filming for the 'Rambo' prequel is already underway in Thailand under the direction of Jalmari Helander, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed action movie 'Sisu.' The cast features a diverse group of actors, including Yao, Jason Tobin, and Quincy Isaiah, while the screenplay was written by the duo responsible for 'The Mauritanian.'
The character of John Rambo originally appeared in the 1972 novel 'First Blood' as a troubled veteran who struggles to return to civilian life. When the book was adapted for the big screen in 1982, the movie famously allowed Rambo to survive his final battle, which paved the way for a massive franchise. Over the decades, the series evolved from a grounded survival story into a high-octane action saga that eventually spanned five films, ending with Stallone's final appearance in 2019.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
This prequel isn't the only project revisiting Stallone's legendary career. Another upcoming film, 'I Play Rocky,' is set to hit theatres in November 2026. That movie will tell the real-life story of how Stallone fought to get the original 'Rocky' made, with Anthony Ippolito portraying the young actor. While John Rambo is currently in production, a specific release date for the prequel has not been set yet.
