New Rambo film: Sylvester Stallone is now also on board – and expresses his enthusiasm

A "Rambo" film without Sylvester Stallone in the title role? That will be the case for the first time in the new prequel "John Rambo". However, as has now been announced, he will be involved in a different capacity. Stallone will serve as executive producer, according to Deadline.

Stallone co-wrote the screenplay for several "Rambo" films and even directed the 2008 sequel. But this is the first time he has been involved in a film in the successful action franchise as a producer. The Hollywood star expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming "Rambo" prequel on social media. He wrote in a video clip:

"Rambo has been part of my life for a very long time. A character built on resilience, survival, and the scars of war. He's meant a lot to me and to audiences around the world for decades. Now we're going back to where his story begins. I'm excited to be executive producing @JohnRamboFilm, exploring the early chapter of the man before the legend."

Noah Centineo becomes John Rambo

The prequel is set before the original 1982 film and is intended to show how John Rambo became the man we know from the later films. The plot is set during the Vietnam War. Otherwise, not much else is known about the story. As previously announced, filming will take place in Thailand.

Instead of Stallone, Noah Centineo will play the action hero in his younger years in the new "Rambo" film. He is known, among other things, as the lead actor in the Netflix spy series "The Recruit". Apart from Centineo, other actors have also been signed up, including Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Yao, and Tayme Thapthimthong.

Avengers duo involved in Rambo prequel

The film is directed by Jalmari Helander, who made a name for himself primarily with his two "Sisu" action films. Like the "Rambo" films, these also feature a lone fighter. The screenplay for the "Rambo" prequel was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.

In addition to Stallone, Anthony and Joe Russo have already been announced as executive producers. The two are no strangers to big franchises. As directors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they are responsible for two of the most commercially successful films in cinema history with their "Avengers" blockbusters.

The last Rambo film to date was released in 2019

The first "Rambo" film from 1982 is based on David Morrell's novel "First Blood". It centers on John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran who finds himself in a small town at the beginning of the film. When he is harassed by police officers there, a bitter fight for survival ensues. The film grossed $125 million worldwide. Given its financial success, two sequels followed in the 1980s. In the 2008 sequel, Stallone not only played the lead role, but also directed. "Rambo: Last Blood", the last film in the series for the time being, was released in theaters in 2019.