Noah Centineo has been cast as the young John Rambo in the Sylvester Stallone Rambo Prequel, which began production in January 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. The film will explore the origins of the iconic Green Beret soldier, expanding the story famously introduced in David Morrell’s 1972 novel, First Blood, and immortalized by Stallone in five previous movies.
Leading Role and Supporting Cast in the New Rambo Film
Centineo, best known for his roles in romantic comedies like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, takes on a much grittier character, playing Rambo as a younger man before his Vietnam War experiences. His recent performances include a Navy SEAL in Warfare (2025) and the role of Ken Masters in the upcoming Street Fighter reboot. The cast also features Yao from Sinners, Quincy Isaiah known for Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Jason Tobin from F9, Jefferson White of Yellowstone, and Tayme Thapthimthong from The White Lotus. Specific character details for these actors have yet to be announced.
Examining the Story Behind John Rambo’s Early Years
The prequel delves into years prior to the storyline of First Blood and the 1982 film featuring Stallone. Instead of following the aftermath of Rambo’s return from Vietnam, this project aims to portray the circumstances that shaped him during the war itself. Director Jalmari Helander, known for his work on the action film Sisu, explained the story’s distinct focus.
“When I was 11, I saw First Blood for the first time, and it changed my life,”
Helander said in January 2026.
“Rambo wasn’t just a film to me — it stayed with me growing up and was a defining influence on why I wanted to become a filmmaker. As we begin production on the origin of John Rambo, we’re going back to the beginning.”
Helander further described the tone of the film as a raw survival narrative:
“This is Rambo stripped down, raw and real — a survival story about endurance, persistence and lost innocence. It’s an honor to shape this next chapter with deep respect for the character and the legacy, and to bring audiences the start of John Rambo’s journey.”
Director’s Insights on the Prequel’s Unique Approach
Helander emphasized that the film’s perspective differs from previous installments.
“Of course, it’s different, because we’re gonna start in a place where everything is basically pretty okay for Rambo,”
he told GamesRadar+ in November 2025.
“He’s happy and younger and all that, because we are telling the origin story.”
He added,
“What would happen to him? Why did he become that kind of dude that we’ve all seen in First Blood? So it’s different.”
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Erin Westerman expressed enthusiasm for the project, underscoring its potential for both new viewers and long-time fans.
“We’re thrilled to start production on John Rambo, which will allow both new audiences and existing fans to explore John Rambo’s roots, his principles, and most importantly, some incredible action, courtesy of Jalmari’s singular vision,”
Westerman said in a January 2026 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“And we’re so excited for Noah’s committed and powerful performance to show what forged this character into legend.”
Sylvester Stallone’s Perspective on the Prequel and Casting Choices
Sylvester Stallone has openly supported the idea of a prequel. In September 2025, he told ScreenRant that he originally considered using AI technology to portray a younger Rambo himself, aiming to reimagine the character’s early life.
“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,”
he said.
“And when he goes to Vietnam, 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.”
He added,
“That’s how I became the way I became, but originally I was bon vivant — that kind of thing. And I thought, ‘We could do this with AI,’ but [we] procrastinated too long and they took it over and, I hope, you know, good luck.”
Stallone also revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in February 2024 that he initially favored Ryan Gosling for the role of young Rambo.
“[Ryan] goes, ‘I was fascinated by Rambo, and I used to go to school dressed as Rambo, and people would chase me away and I still didn’t stop. I’d vacation as Rambo,’”
Stallone recalled.
“He just kept saying that he had a lot of affiliation with Rambo.”
The action star then teased,
“I thought, ‘You know, this is interesting. If I ever pass the baton, I’ll pass it on to him because he loves the character.”
Despite this, plans for a Gosling-led Rambo prequel fell through, with Centineo officially announced as the lead in August 2025.
Current Status and Anticipated Impact of the Prequel
Though no official release date has been shared, production on John Rambo began in early 2026 on location in Bangkok, Thailand. This prequel promises to offer a deeper look into John Rambo’s origins, shifting the narrative focus from a battle-hardened warrior’s return home to the formative experiences that forged him. With Jalmari Helander’s direction and Noah Centineo’s intense performance, audiences can expect a gritty, survival-driven story that redefines the beginnings of one of cinema’s most enduring action heroes.
