The legendary character John Rambo will be portrayed by Noah Centineo in an upcoming film, marking a significant change from Sylvester Stallone’s long-held role. The reboot, reported by Deadline, reveals that Centineo will take on the role in a prequel set during Rambo’s early days in the Vietnam War.
Background of the New Rambo Film and Casting Details
Noah Centineo gained fame through his work on the Disney Channel and his starring roles in Netflix’s romantic comedy series To All The Boys, as well as leading the espionage thriller series The Recruit. In contrast to previous films, Sylvester Stallone is not involved in this project and reportedly learned about Centineo’s casting only recently.
The new movie, titled John Rambo, will be directed by Jalmari Helander, known for the intense action-thriller Sisu, which focused on a WWII Nazi-killing storyline. Production for the Rambo prequel will commence in early 2026 in Thailand, exploring the protagonist’s experiences as a young soldier during the Vietnam War.
Franchise Legacy and Noah Centineo’s Rising Career
The Rambo series has been a cornerstone of the action genre since its inception in 1982 with First Blood, accumulating nearly $900 million from five films. The franchise appeared to culminate with Rambo: Last Blood in 2019. Centineo’s career is expanding with roles such as one in Alex Garland’s war drama Warfare from A24, and he will also portray Ken Masters in the forthcoming live-action Street Fighter film due next year.
Looking Ahead for the Rambo Franchise
This casting shift and prequel approach may offer fresh perspectives on the iconic character’s backstory while introducing Rambo to new audiences. The production in Thailand signals that the project is aiming to authentically capture the Vietnam War setting. With Centineo’s growing prominence and Helander’s directing style, the film could redefine the franchise’s direction and impact.
