John Rambo Returns In 2027 With Noah Centineo Taking Up Stallone’s Mantle

Well, here we are: they're actually making a Rambo prequel. Not only that, but we've got a date—'John Rambo' will land in cinemas on 4th June 2027. If you ever wondered what the world needed less than another reboot, apparently it's the untold origins of John Rambo. But this thing is happening, and Lionsgate are hyping it up as the next bold move for Stallone's legendary franchise.

Who's picking up Stallone's headband?

Yes, there's a new bloke playing Rambo himself. It's Noah Centineo, which honestly is a bit of a wild choice. If you've seen him in anything, you'll know he's best known for charming his way through Netflix romcoms, not gutting his way through enemy lines. No pressure, Noah. He'll be stepping into the boots that've only ever belonged to Stallone since 1982’s 'First Blood'. That film, by the way, was more psychological breakdown than body count, quite different from the gory sequels that followed. Whether Centineo can pull off young, battle-scarred Rambo is anyone's guess.

The story is set before the events of 'First Blood', so think fresh-faced soldier rather than PTSD-riddled veteran. Directing is Jalmari Helander—the Finnish chap behind 'Sisu'—so at least the action should come with a bit of style. Filming's already done, so apparently this all got greenlit and shot while everyone was distracted.

Who's in the trenches?

• Noah Centineo: Young John Rambo (good luck, mate)
• David Harbour: Rambo's CO Major Trautman (probably the only person in the cast who could actually win a fight with a bear)
• Yao: Don't worry, I had to look him up too—he did 'Sinners'
• Jason Tobin: Been in 'A Thousand Blows', decent CV
• Quincy Isaiah: From 'Winning Time', so might actually nail the 'intense' face
• Jefferson White: Known for 'Yellowstone'
• Tayme Thapthimthong: Last seen in 'The White Lotus'

As for Stallone, he isn't putting the bandana back on, but he isn't sitting this one out either. He's on board as executive producer. Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson put it this way:

'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.'

I'm sure that was never in doubt. Sly's approval is basically the franchise’s only real currency at this point.

Rambo through the years… and in 4K

A little reminder: 'First Blood' kicked all this off in 1982. Back then, Stallone's Rambo was a broken vet hunted by small-town cops, not the bulletproof meat golem he turned into in the sequels. After that you got 'Rambo: First Blood Part II', 'Rambo III', the confusingly-titled 'Rambo', and then 'Rambo: Last Blood', by which point he was operating with about six facial expressions and a machete the size of a surfboard. But never, until now, has anyone else played the role. It's genuinely quite mad.

By the way, there's a 4K box set landing soon—27th May to be precise—that covers all five existing rambos and even has an extended cut of 'Last Blood', in case you fancied some more moody violence.

Whether anyone's actually ready for Noah Centineo as the new face of Rambo is another question entirely. The shadow of Stallone looms large—when was the last time a remake of an '80s action character didn't go down like a lead balloon? Centineo is going to need to turn up looking like he ate original Rambo for breakfast.