A new actor is stepping into the combat boots of one of cinema’s most famous soldiers. Noah Centineo is now filming John Rambo, a prequel movie that explores the early life of the action hero before the original 1982 film First Blood. Production for the Lionsgate film is underway in Bangkok, Thailand.
The project is directed by Jalmari Helander, known for the action films Sisu and Sisu: Road to Revenge. The story will focus on the survival experiences and lost innocence that created the legendary character originally played by Sylvester Stallone.
Complete Cast and Crew Details for the New Film
The studio has confirmed the full main cast joining Noah Centineo. The actors come from popular television series and recent films.
- Yao, known for the film Sinners.
- Jason Tobin from the series Warrior and A Thousand Blows.
- Quincy Isaiah, who played Magic Johnson in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.
- Jefferson White from the hit series Yellowstone.
- Tayme Thapthimthong, who appeared in The White Lotus.
Behind the camera, the screenplay was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, who previously worked on Black Adam. The film is produced by Millennium Media, Templeton Media, and AGBO. Key producers include Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, and Jonathan Yunger from Millennium Media, along with Michael Disco and Angela Russo-Otstot representing AGBO. Executive producers are Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, and Amanda Presmyk. Lionsgate will handle distribution.
Director Jalmari Helander’s Personal Connection to Rambo
For director Jalmari Helander, making this film is a childhood dream. He has shared that seeing First Blood at age eleven was a life-changing event that inspired his career in filmmaking.
“When I was 11, I saw First Blood for the first time, and it changed my life,” Helander said in a statement. “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.”
Helander has also expressed his deep respect for the character’s legacy and the responsibility he feels in shaping this new chapter. The film will shoot in multiple locations across Thailand to capture authentic environments, including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Kanchanaburi.
Sylvester Stallone’s Absence and Previous Prequel Ideas
Sylvester Stallone, now 79, originated the role of John Rambo and starred in five films from 1982 to 2019. He is not involved in this new prequel project. Interestingly, Stallone had previously pitched his own idea for a young Rambo film. In late 2025, he suggested using AI technology to digitally de-age himself to play the part.
“Everyone thought I was crazy,” Stallone said about his idea. “AI is sophisticated enough to go through Saigon to see him at 18 years old and basically use the same image. So it isn’t a big stretch.”
The studio ultimately moved forward with a new actor and a different creative direction. The last film in the series, Rambo: Last Blood, was released in 2019.
Noah Centineo’s Transition to Action Star
Noah Centineo is best known for starring in popular teen romantic comedies like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. In recent years, he has actively shifted toward action roles. He played Atom Smasher in the DC film Black Adam and led the Netflix spy series The Recruit.
Centineo is set to appear in multiple major action projects. He stars in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie, which releases later this year, and is also attached to a live-action Gundam film for Netflix. His casting as John Rambo marks his most significant attempt to establish himself as a leading action hero.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Erin Westerman expressed confidence in Centineo’s ability to portray a younger Rambo.
“We’re so excited for Noah’s committed and powerful performance to show what forged this character into legend,” Westerman said.
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Early Fan Reactions to the Prequel News
The announcement of a Rambo film without Stallone has generated mixed reactions online. On social media and comment sections, some fans are skeptical about anyone else playing the iconic role. Comments on film news sites reflect this division, with some viewers questioning the need for another Rambo film.
Other fans are optimistic, noting that a prequel requires a younger actor and expressing trust in director Jalmari Helander based on his previous work. The choice of filming locations in Thailand has also been noted as a positive step for authenticity.
No official release date for John Rambo has been announced. The film is currently in the production phase, with shooting expected to continue in Thailand in the coming months.
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