The Rambo franchise is heading into new territory with a prequel film exploring the origins of John Rambo — but for the first time in the character’s history, Sylvester Stallone won’t be the man behind the bandana. Instead, 29-year-old actor Noah Centineo will step into the role in a bold move aimed at both longtime fans and a younger generation.
A Look Back Before “First Blood”
The upcoming prequel will be set before the events of the 1982 classic “First Blood”, following John Rambo through his military service from 1966 to 1974 during the Vietnam War.
Rather than focusing solely on large-scale battles, the story will dive deep into Rambo’s psychological journey — from his early days as a recruit to his transformation into the elite Green Beret audiences came to know. Expect a mix of intense action, moral dilemmas, and the lasting emotional scars of war.
Producers have hinted that the film will explore:
- The traumas and survival instincts that shaped Rambo’s worldview.
- His relationships with fellow soldiers and commanding officers.
- The moral conflicts of fighting in Vietnam and returning to civilian life.
Who’s Behind the Camera?
Millennium Media, the studio behind previous Rambo installments, is bringing together a creative team with proven action and drama experience:
- Director: Jalmari Helander (Sisu, Big Game)
- Screenwriters: Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam)
- Producers: Kevin King-Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Avi Lerner
- Potential Distributor: Lionsgate, which handled the last films in the saga
Filming is scheduled to begin in early 2026 in Thailand — a location with history for the franchise, as Stallone filmed Rambo IV there.
Meet the New John Rambo: Noah Centineo
Casting Noah Centineo is one of the biggest surprises of the project. Best known for his roles in Netflix’s hit teen rom-coms like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, The Perfect Date, and Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, Centineo has also dipped into action with his portrayal of Atom Smasher in Black Adam.
He’s currently attached to play Ken Masters in the upcoming Street Fighter adaptation, but taking on Rambo marks the most dramatic shift in his career so far.
According to industry insiders, producers chose Centineo for:
- His versatility across genres
- Mass appeal with younger audiences
- Willingness to physically and emotionally transform for the role
For Centineo, stepping into the boots of an action icon is both a high-risk career move and an opportunity to redefine himself beyond his rom-com roots.
No Stallone — But Not Without His Blessing
Sylvester Stallone, who has portrayed Rambo for over four decades, will not appear in or produce the prequel. However, he is reportedly aware of the project’s development. The goal, according to the creative team, is to honor the legacy Stallone built while reintroducing Rambo’s story to a new generation with a modern, character-driven approach.
What Fans Can Expect
While the film does not yet have a release date, the tone is expected to balance gritty realism with emotional depth, much like early Vietnam War dramas such as Platoon and The Deer Hunter.
Fans can likely expect:
- Authentic military settings and training sequences
- A focus on character evolution over spectacle
- Intense, grounded action sequences instead of over-the-top set pieces
The Rambo prequel is shaping up to be a fresh take on one of cinema’s most enduring action heroes. Whether Centineo can win over Stallone loyalists remains to be seen, but the project is clearly positioning itself as both a tribute and a new beginning for the franchise.
