Lionsgate has begun production on John Rambo, a prequel exploring the origins of the iconic action hero before the events of First Blood. Noah Centineo stars in the role originally played by Sylvester Stallone, directed by Jalmari Helander. Filming is underway in Thailand with an ensemble cast.
The Rambo franchise, which debuted with the 1982 film First Blood and most recently concluded with 2019's Rambo: Last Blood, is returning with a prequel titled John Rambo. This origin story delves into the experiences that shaped the character years before his first on-screen appearance. Production commenced this week in Bangkok, Thailand, with additional filming planned in Krabi, Phang Nga, and Kanchanaburi. The project is backed by Lionsgate, Millennium Media, Templeton Media, and AGBO, and will be distributed theatrically by Lionsgate. The screenplay comes from Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, known for Black Adam and The Mauritanian. Centineo, fresh from roles in Warfare and the upcoming Street Fighter, leads the cast alongside Yao from Sinners, Jason Tobin from A Thousand Blows, Quincy Isaiah from Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Jefferson White from Yellowstone, and Tayme Thapthimthong from The White Lotus. Director Jalmari Helander, acclaimed for Sisu and Rare Exports, expressed his personal connection to the material: “When I was eleven, 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.” Producers praised the collaboration, with Angela Russo-Otstot of AGBO noting it as “a rare opportunity to revisit one of our favorite characters.” Kevin King Templeton and Les Weldon added that Helander and Centineo bring “discipline” and “deep understanding” to the role. Erin Westerman, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, highlighted the film's potential to blend “incredible action” with character exploration for both new and existing fans. Helander's recent Sisu films have earned strong critical acclaim, with Rotten Tomatoes scores of 94% and 95%, surpassing previous Rambo entries.