Veteran action star Sylvester Stallone revealed on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast that his idea to portray a younger John Rambo using artificial intelligence (AI) de-aging technology was initially met with skepticism.
Stallone, who first played the iconic character in 1982’s First Blood and continued through four sequels, including 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood, proposed a prequel featuring an 18-year-old Rambo set during the Vietnam War. “Everyone thought I was crazy,” the 79-year-old actor said, noting that AI’s sophistication could realistically recreate his younger image, making the concept feasible.
The prequel, titled John Rambo, is now in development with Millennium Media, but Stallone will not star. Instead, Noah Centineo, known for To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, will take on the role of young Rambo. Directed by Jalmari Helander, whose credits include Sisu and Big Game, the film’s screenplay is penned by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.
Production is slated to begin in Thailand in 2026, focusing on Rambo’s origin story during the Vietnam War, though specific plot details remain undisclosed.
Stallone’s vision for leveraging AI highlights the growing influence of technology in filmmaking, allowing actors to revisit younger versions of their characters. While his idea didn’t materialize as planned, the project underscores Hollywood’s interest in reimagining iconic franchises for new audiences.
The production team includes Kevin King-Templeton of Templeton Media, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, and Avi Lerner, with executive producers Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, and Amanda Presmyk from Bonfire Legends.
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The Rambo franchise, which began as a gritty portrayal of a traumatized Vietnam veteran, has grossed over $800 million worldwide across five films. The upcoming prequel aims to explore Rambo’s early years, potentially tapping into the character’s enduring appeal while introducing Centineo to a new generation of action fans.
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