The upcoming film will explore the early years of the legendary soldier before the events of the 1982 classic “First Blood,” which originally introduced audiences to Sylvester Stallone’s battle-scarred war veteran, John Rambo.
The release date places the movie in the middle of a competitive summer box office season. Disney’s “Star Wars: Starfighter” is expected to debut a week earlier on May 28, while Sony’s “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” arrives on June 11. Warner Bros. is also planning to release an “Oceans” prequel later that month on June 25.
Unlike previous entries led by Stallone, the new film will focus on a younger version of Rambo, with actor Noah Centineo stepping into the role made famous by the Hollywood veteran.
Centineo will star alongside David Harbour, who has been cast as Major Trautman, the military officer closely associated with Rambo throughout the franchise. Other cast members include Yao, James Franco, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White and Tayme Thapthimthong, although details about several characters remain undisclosed.
The project will be directed by Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander, best known for the action thriller “Sisu,” while the screenplay was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.
Production duties are being handled by Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Angela Russo-Otstot and Michael Disco. Sylvester Stallone is attached as an executive producer alongside Anthony and Joe Russo, Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier and Amanda Presmyk.
“John Rambo” aims to revisit the roots of one of action cinema’s most enduring characters. The original “First Blood” followed a troubled Vietnam War veteran struggling to adapt to civilian life while confronting abuse from local law enforcement. The film’s success launched multiple sequels, including “Rambo: First Blood Part II” (1985), “Rambo III” (1988), “Rambo” (2008), and “Rambo: Last Blood” (2019).
Over the decades, the franchise has become synonymous with explosive action sequences and the portrayal of Rambo as a highly skilled former United States Army Special Forces operative haunted by the psychological scars of war.
The prequel marks Lionsgate’s latest effort to revive established franchises and strengthen its upcoming theatrical slate.
The studio’s 2027 lineup also includes “Day Drinker,” starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, as well as Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One” and “The Housemaid’s Secret.”
Before then, Lionsgate is preparing to release several major titles later this year, including “The Fall 2” and “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.”