“John Rambo” will be back on the big screen soon, as Lionsgate‘s prequel starring Noah Centineo has entered production in Bangkok, Thailand.
First announced last May, the all-new film, set before the events of 1982’s “First Blood,” stars Centineo as a young Rambo in the thick of a tour of duty during the Vietnam War. “Sisu” director Jalmari Helander helms the prequel, while Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani co-pen the script.
“John Rambo” is another big starring role for Centineo, who also stars as Ken in Legendary and Paramount‘s “Street Fighter” movie, in theaters on October 16. Joining him on the prequel is an ensemble cast that includes Yao, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White, and Tayme Thapthimthong. Official plot details for the film remain under wraps, but it’s set before the event of the original film, adapted from David Morrell‘s novel of the same name.
Here’s a press statement from director Helander about the upcoming prequel: “When I was 11, I saw “First Blood” for the first time, and it changed my life. Rambo wasn’t just a film to me — it stayed with me growing up and was a defining influence on why I wanted to become a filmmaker. As we begin production on the origin of John Rambo, we’re going back to the beginning. This is Rambo stripped down, raw and real — a survival story about endurance, persistence and lost innocence. It’s an honor to shape this next chapter with deep respect for the character and the legacy, and to bring audiences the start of John Rambo’s journey.”
“John Rambo” is the first film featuring the character since 2019’s “Rambo: Last Blood,” another Lionsgate production. The new prequel is a co-production between Millennium Media, Templeton Media, and AGBO, with Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Michael Disco, and Angela Russo-Otstot on board as producers. Executive producers includes Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, and Amanda Presmyk.
So, when should Centineo’s young Rambo hit theaters? Liongate doesn’t have an official release date for the film yet, but expect sometime in 2027.
