Sylvester Stallone revealed that he had intended to create a Sylvester Stallone Rambo prequel using AI technology to de-age himself, but ultimately abandoned the idea. This project aimed to explore the early life of John Rambo before his Vietnam War experience. Meanwhile, a separate Rambo prequel titled John Rambo, featuring Noah Centineo in the lead role, is currently in development.
Stallone’s Vision for a Different Rambo Origin Story
<pIn recent interviews, Stallone described his plan for an AI-driven Rambo prequel that would present a fresh take on the character’s youth. He wanted to depict Rambo as a popular, thriving student before his wartime trauma. "I wanted to do the first AI… not retroactive… but I wanted to rewrite history of the earlier Rambo because I wanted Rambo to be the nicest guy in the school, the valedictorian, the prom king, and all that stuff," Stallone said.
The project intended to illustrate how Rambo’s life changed drastically after entering Vietnam, shifting from a carefree young man to a battle-hardened survivor. Stallone elaborated,
“He thinks it’s going to be a three-week hit-and-run, and you see him being tortured and captured, his friends murdered, one thing after another, and [his] life in Saigon.”
Challenges and Transition to a New Rambo Project
Despite Stallone’s enthusiasm, delays in development caused the project to stall, allowing the new production led by Noah Centineo to move forward instead. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Stallone said,
“I hope, you know, good luck.”
He also noted that his AI-based approach faced skepticism. During an appearance on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast, Stallone shared that many doubted the feasibility of such an experiment. “Everyone thought I was crazy,” he admitted. Yet he argued that AI technology had reached a point where it could convincingly recreate an 18-year-old Rambo, saying,
“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 as big a stretch.”
Current Status of the John Rambo Prequel
The forthcoming John Rambo film is directed by Jalmari Helander and stars Noah Centineo, known for his role in The Recruit. The screenplay is penned by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani. Although the movie is in active development, no release date has been announced.
Stallone’s decision to forgo the AI project underscores challenges faced when integrating emerging technology into established franchises. The new prequel’s progress highlights the ongoing interest in exploring Rambo’s backstory while adapting to contemporary filmmaking methods.
