‘Rambo: First Blood’ Prequel Starring Noah Centineo Begins Production in Thailand

Sylvester Stallone is not returning in the ‘John Rambo’ prequel set before original First Blood film.

Principal photography for Jalmari Helander’s new Rambo movie is finally underway in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing back the legendary character to the big screen.

Specific plot details are still heavily under wraps, but the story is said to follow Army Green Beret John Rambo during his North Vietnam tour in the mid-1960s, where he’s first introduced to the harsh physical and psychological traumas of war.

New leading actor Noah Centineo, known for his breakout roles in the Netflix hit series To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Recruit, stars as the young Rambo in a role described by Empire Online as “stripped down, raw, and real—a survival story about endurance, persistence, and lost innocence.”

Helander, writer and director of the 2022 action-war film Sisu, recently shared in a statement via USAtoday his vision of the movie, saying that the original 1982 film was a life-changing experience:

“When I was eleven, I saw ‘First Blood’ for the first time, and it changed my life. Rambo wasn’t just a film to me – it stayed with me growing up and war a defining influence on why I wanted to become a filmmaker,” he wrote, per the release. “As we begin production on the origin of John Rambo, we’re going back to the beginning. This is Rambo stripped down, raw, and real – a survival story about endurance, persistence, and lost innocence.”

Stallone, who previously played the title role in five films from First Blood to Rambo: Last Blood, is aware of the new project but is unfortunately not attached to it in any creative, producing, or acting capacity. The 79-year-old actor attempted for several years to bring the Rambo prequel story to the screen and always hoped to explore a once-young life, being thrust into a profoundly different world than the one he left.

“I wanted John to be the nicest guy in the school, the valedictorian, the prom king, and all that stuff.” He said during an interview with Screen Rant back in 2022. “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.

For many fans, finally seeing the origin story in a Platoon film-type war drama will most assuredly be something to behold. There’s no doubt that, with Herlander being somewhat of a true fan of Stallone’s unhinged character the filmmaker will definitely be respecting. the franchise’s past history.

“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.” Herlander said.

The script for John Rambo was penned by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, along with Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Michael Disco, and Angela Russo-Otstot serving as the film’s producers, and Anthony and Joe Russo as the executive producers.

The team of King-Templeton and Weldon said in a recent interview that they’re excited to see what the director and actor duo brings to the screen.

“Jalmari approaches the film with discipline, and Noah brings not only the physical commitment, but the deep understanding of the character’s core beliefs and motivations that the role demands. They’re a powerful combination, “

Helander explained to The Hollywood Reporter back in December of 2025 that he hoped to make Stallone proud of his new take on John Rambo.

“It’s a big deal for me to actually do a Rambo film, and there’s a lot of responsibility,” the filmmaker said. “So I’m just trying to do the best I can with it, and I hope that’s enough.”

Late last year, Lionsgate struck a deal with Millennium Media to acquire worldwide rights to Rambo franchise. The studio originally distributed the fourth and fifth installments in North America.

The John Rambo cast also includes Sinners star Yao, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White and Tayme Thapthimthong.

No official release date for the film has been announced yet, but Centineo said he’s “excited to start filming.” Expect to hear even more details about the movie later this year.

“Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don’t turn it off!“. – John Rambo