Sylvester Stallone Joins ‘John Rambo’ Prequel as Executive Producer
The screenplay for the prequel was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.
RMN Stars Movies Desk
New Delhi | March 10, 2026
BANGKOK – Sylvester Stallone, the three-time Oscar nominee and the original face of the legendary action franchise, has officially signed on as an executive producer for the upcoming prequel film, John Rambo.
This announcement marks a significant milestone for the 44-year-old franchise, as it is the first time Stallone has ever served as a producer on a Rambo movie. The project is the sixth installment in a series that has grossed over $819 million at the global box office.
A New Lead for an Origin Story
Because the film serves as a prequel to the 1982 classic First Blood, Stallone will not be starring in the title role. Taking over the mantle of the iconic soldier is Noah Centineo, who will portray a younger version of Rambo. The production is currently filming in Bangkok, Thailand, under the direction of Jalmari Helander, known for the action film Sisu.
Stallone has been a creative pillar of the franchise since its inception, having co-written all five previous films and directed the 2008 installment, Rambo. Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, highlighted Stallone’s essential role in the new production, stating, “Sylvester Stallone knows the character of John Rambo better than anyone. His participation is the final, critical piece to John Rambo”.
Production and Distribution Details
The screenplay for the prequel was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani. The film features an ensemble cast including Yao, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White, and Tayme Thapthimthong.
John Rambo is a collaborative production between Lionsgate, Millennium Media, AGBO, and Templeton Media. This project follows a deal made last November in which Lionsgate acquired worldwide distribution rights for the film, alongside rights to develop derivative works for The Expendables franchise.
The executive production team is packed with industry veterans, including Anthony and Joe Russo, Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, and Amanda Presmyk, alongside Stallone himself. Lionsgate will handle the worldwide distribution of the film.
