A new chapter in the legendary action franchise is officially underway. According to a report from Deadline, a new film titled John Rambo is in production, exploring the early life of the iconic character before the events of the original 1982 film First Blood.
The upcoming prequel marks a notable shift for the franchise: while Sylvester Stallone created and defined the character on screen for decades, this will be the first time he serves as an executive producer on a Rambo movie.
Stallone Joins the Prequel as Executive Producer
The new film will not feature Stallone in front of the camera, as the story takes place years before the events of First Blood. Instead, Noah Centineo will take on the role of a younger John Rambo.
The movie is directed by Sisu filmmaker Jalmari Helander and is currently filming in Bangkok, Thailand. The screenplay was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, and the film is being produced by Lionsgate, Millennium Media, Templeton Media, and AGBO.
According to Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson, Stallone’s involvement was a key element in bringing the project together.
“Sylvester Stallone knows the character of John Rambo better than anyone, and Lionsgate has had the good fortune of partnering with Sly for more than 20 years on this legendary IP. His participation is the final, critical piece to John Rambo, and we’re thrilled to have his involvement.”
The film expands a franchise that has spanned more than four decades. Stallone wrote the previous five Rambo films and directed the 2008 installment. Together, the series has generated more than $819 million at the global box office.
The cast for John Rambo also includes Yao, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White, and Tayme Thapthimthong.
How to Watch the Classic Rambo Movies on Streaming
If the announcement of a new Rambo movie has you ready to revisit the franchise, you may need to do a little searching. Unlike many classic action franchises, the Rambo films can be surprisingly scarce across streaming platforms, with only a few titles currently available on free streaming services.
Here’s where you can currently stream some of the original films.
Rambo: First Blood (1982)
The film that introduced John Rambo remains one of the defining action movies of the 1980s. Based on David Morrell’s novel, the story follows a troubled Vietnam veteran who clashes with a small-town sheriff, setting off a tense manhunt that explores the lingering trauma of war.
Stream Rambo: First Blood on Tubi here.
Stream Rambo: First Blood on Pluto TV here.
Stream Rambo: First Blood on DirecTV here.
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
The sequel took the franchise in a more explosive direction. In this installment, Rambo is sent back to Vietnam on a mission to locate American POWs, transforming the character into one of the era’s most recognizable action heroes.
Stream Rambo: First Blood Part II on Tubi here.
Stream Rambo: First Blood Part II on Pluto TV here.
Stream Rambo: First Blood Part II on DirecTV here.
Rambo III (1988)
In this third installment, Rambo launches a dangerous solo mission into Afghanistan after Colonel Trautman is captured by invading Soviet forces. What follows is a high-stakes rescue story that pushes the franchise even further into large-scale action spectacle.
Stream Rambo III on Tubi here.
Stream Rambo III on Pluto TV here.
Stream Rambo III on DirecTV here.
Rambo (2008)
After a long break in the series, Stallone returned to both direct and star in the fourth film. Set in Myanmar, the movie follows Rambo as he reluctantly agrees to guide missionaries through a dangerous war zone before becoming involved in a brutal rescue mission.