JOHN RAMBO Origin Movie Is Charging Into Development With The Director of SISU
John Rambo is coming back, but this time he’ll be younger, angrier, and with a whole war ahead of him. Millennium Media is officially launching John Rambo, a prequel to Rambo: First Blood, and they’re taking it to market at Cannes.
Stepping in to direct the origin story is Rare Exports, Big Game, and Sisu director Jalmari Helander, a guy who knows his way around gritty action with emotional punch.
The script comes from writing duo Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam, The Mauritanian, Informer), with production aiming to kick off in Thailand this October.
Casting is still in progress, but it’s going to focus on a young Rambo during the Vietnam War.
As for Sylvester Stallone, he’s aware of the project but not currently involved. However, producers haven’t ruled out a potential role for him. If the right part comes along, the door’s open. Stallone had his own vision for a prequel film, previously sharing:
“I always thought of Rambo when he was 16 or 17 – I hope they can do the prequel – he was the best person you could find. He was the captain of the team; he was the most popular kid in school; super athlete. He was like Jim Thorpe, and the war is what changed him. If you saw him before, he was like the perfect guy.”
Millennium President Jonathan Yunger called the new chapter “a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history,” adding:
“We are thrilled to introduce a fresh new chapter to the Rambo legacy. This project is a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history that will appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences alike.
“With Jalmari Helander at the helm—a filmmaker of exceptional vision and energy—we’ve found the perfect director to deliver a high-concept action-packed experience.”
Helander, who’s clearly living a childhood dream, said:
“I have been the biggest fan of Rambo since the age of 11. It is so surreal to be in a situation where I can actually make my own Rambo movie.
“The chain of events that got me here makes, in a fantastic way, my whole childhood make sense. I can’t wait to bring the greatest action hero back to the big screen where he belongs!”
This is the first time the Rambo universe is peeling back the layers of its legendary hero to show who he was before the bloodshed began. While details about the story are still under wraps, given the creative team involved, expect it to be intense and loaded with crazy action.
The original First Blood hit theaters in 1982 and was based on David Morell’s novel. Stallone’s portrayal of the tormented Vietnam vet turned survivalist icon launched a five-film franchise that earned more than $800 million worldwide. The most recent installment, Rambo: Last Blood (2019), brought in $92M at the box office.
John Rambo is being produced by Kevin King-Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, and Avi Lerner, with executive producers Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, and Amanda Presmyk.
One thing’s clear… Rambo’s legacy is far from over.
