The long-anticipated Rambo prequel has finally secured a place on the movie release calendar with Noah Centineo cast as a young John Rambo. However, Sylvester Stallone, who famously played the character in the original 1980s film First Blood, once considered a very different actor for the part—Hollywood star Ryan Gosling. This surprising revelation came from a resurfaced interview where Stallone shared his thoughts on passing the iconic role to someone new.
How Ryan Gosling Nearly Became John Rambo
Stallone openly admitted stepping away from the Rambo franchise, much like he has with his other legendary role, Rocky Balboa. In an interview clip from The Tonight Show, shared by OutstandingScreenplays, Stallone explained why Ryan Gosling was initially his preferred choice to wear the red headband and dog tags. Despite their contrasting appearances, Stallone was impressed by Gosling’s genuine connection to the character. He recalled their meeting and said,
“Yeah. And isn’t that bizarre? I’ll tell you why. I met him at a dinner and obviously we’re opposites. He’s good looking, I’m not. That’s how it works. No, seriously. See, imagine me as Ken. Like, doesn’t work at all. But he goes, I was fascinated by Rambo when I was a kid. I saw Rambo: First Blood, and I used to go to school dressed as Rambo and people would chase me away and I still didn’t stop. I thought I was Rambo. I even thought my face felt like Sylvester Stallone’s. He just had a real connection to the character.”
Stallone found it intriguing that Gosling identified so deeply with the Vietnam War veteran persona. He elaborated on why he considered Gosling a fitting successor, adding,
“He kept saying how much he identified with Rambo, and I thought, that’s interesting. If I ever passed the baton, I’d pass it to him, because he really loves the character.”
Why Noah Centineo Will Be the New Face of Rambo
Despite Stallone’s admiration for Gosling’s enthusiasm, the role of young John Rambo is now assigned to Noah Centineo. Stallone admitted that he didn’t have a personal history with Centineo but expressed cautious optimism about the prequel. He acknowledged the challenge of living up to the Rambo legacy and emphasized the importance of the new film meeting fans’ expectations to be successful.
The legacy of Rambo is significant, as the character has been ingrained in pop culture for almost five decades with Stallone as the sole actor embodying him. The new prequel represents a major shift, introducing a younger portrayal of the war veteran’s early years, potentially expanding the franchise’s narrative beyond what was previously explored.
The Importance of Respecting Rambo’s Legacy in the Prequel
With Centineo taking on the role officially, the new film holds the opportunity to delve into the origins of John Rambo, highlighting what shaped him into the hardened fighter audiences know. Although Stallone is not directly involved in the production, his comments suggest a guarded but hopeful outlook. The prequel’s success will depend on how well it captures the essence of why Rambo became such a compelling figure long before any casting discussions, even those involving Gosling, took place.
For fans eager to revisit the world of Rambo, the entire film series is currently available for free streaming on Pluto TV. This access provides an ideal chance to experience the original action classics before the prequel’s arrival rekindles interest in the veteran’s story.
