New Rambo Movie Is “Entirely Respectful” To Sylvester Stallone’s Action Franchise As Production Begins

by

The latest Rambo movie aims to recapture the spirit of Sylvester Stallone’s famous character, and according to recent reports, it succeeds.

Sylvester Stallone first played the character of Rambo in the 1982 film, First Blood. The movie, directed by Ted Kotcheff, is an action story about a Vietnam War veteran who clashes with a small-town sheriff and the National Guard. Stallone continued to play Rambo in sequels released in the 1980s, and then again in 2008 and 2019.

In a recent interview with Business Insider, Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson praised the new John Rambo movie. He stated that the early footage was exceptionally impressive – something he rarely experiences in his career – and described it as “electric.” Fogelson also noted that the film feels both new and respectful of the original movies. You can find his complete statement below.

Jalmari’s footage is incredible – it exceeds all my expectations. After working in this field for so long, it’s unusual to be genuinely wowed by initial cuts. Usually, you’re either pleased or a little concerned, but this footage is truly exciting and dynamic.

Even though this is a prequel, the character feels both brand new and wonderfully familiar. It gives you a deeper understanding of who they become in later movies, honoring the original creation while also feeling innovative and unique.

According to the studio executive, the new film, John Rambo, is a prequel set before the original First Blood. It shows Rambo’s time as a soldier in the Vietnam War. Noah Centineo stars as the younger Rambo, and the film also features David Harbour, Jason Tobin, and Jefferson White.

Even though this new version of the character features a younger actor, there’s a lot to live up to. Despite how silly some of the films might be, Rambo is arguably Sylvester Stallone’s most famous role after Rocky. For a long time, people have strongly associated Stallone with the Rambo franchise.

The films have been very successful financially. For example, First Blood earned over $125 million despite only costing around $15 million to make – a remarkably high return, even without considering modern costs.

Although Fogelson doesn’t mention Centineo’s acting directly, he does point to director Jalmari Helander. Helander, a Finnish director famous for the Sisu films, is well-suited to this project, as those movies – similar to First Blood – center around a single person taking on overwhelming odds.

The Sisu films, similar to the Rambo movies, skillfully balance exaggerated action with heartfelt character moments. This approach has been well-received by critics, with both series earning over 90% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. If the director can recapture the magic of Sisu, audiences can expect a thrilling experience with the new John Rambo film.

Read More

2026-04-26 16:58