Lionsgate’s next entry in the long-running Rambo franchise is now in production. The Vietnam-era origin film John Rambo has begun filming in Thailand, with actor Noah Centineo cast as a younger version of the iconic soldier.
Series star Sylvester Stallone will not appear on screen but has confirmed he is involved as an executive producer. The project is currently listed on Lionsgate’s release calendar for May 6, 2027, though release dates may shift as production continues.
Lionsgate Positions the Film as the Next Chapter in the Rambo Franchise
The studio first formally announced the project in November 2025 as part of a broader distribution agreement with Millennium Media. In that announcement, Lionsgate described John Rambo as the sixth film in the Rambo series.
The deal also includes plans for additional Rambo projects, including potential television adaptations. The arrangement signals that Lionsgate views the property as a continuing franchise rather than a one-off revival.
The prequel approach represents a shift for the series, which has previously centered entirely on Stallone’s portrayal of the character across five films spanning nearly four decades.
Filming Has Begun Across Multiple Locations in Thailand
Production on John Rambo began in January 2026, with filming taking place across several locations in Thailand. Confirmed shooting regions include Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Kanchanaburi.
The varied landscapes in those regions are expected to provide jungle and rural environments suitable for a Vietnam War-era setting. Southeast Asian locations have historically played a role in the visual identity of the Rambo films, particularly in the franchise’s later installments.
For the new film, Thailand offers both logistical advantages and terrain that can support the story’s survival-focused tone.
Stallone Remains Involved Behind the Scenes
Although Stallone will not appear on screen in the new film, he remains involved in shaping the project.
In a statement shared through social media earlier this year, Stallone confirmed he is serving as executive producer and described the prequel as a return to the beginning of the character’s story.
His absence from the cast marks the first time a theatrical Rambo film will center on the character without Stallone playing the role himself.
The decision reflects a generational transition for the franchise while maintaining a connection to the actor most closely associated with the character.
A New Creative Team Takes the Franchise in a Different Direction
The film is directed by Jalmari Helander, whose previous work includes the survival-action film Sisu. The screenplay was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.
Helander has described the tone of the film as more grounded and survival-focused than some later entries in the franchise. The approach suggests a return to the stripped-down storytelling that defined the original First Blood.
The supporting cast includes Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Yao, who will appear alongside Centineo in the ensemble.
The Story Explores Rambo’s Early Military Years
Plot details for John Rambo remain limited, but Lionsgate has confirmed that the film takes place years before the events of First Blood.
The story is expected to follow a younger Rambo during the early stages of his military career in the Vietnam War. The character’s experiences in that period form the foundation of the mythology explored throughout the later films.
While the studio has not released a detailed synopsis, the focus on Rambo’s origins suggests a story centered on the events that shaped the soldier before he became the lone survivor audiences first met in 1982.
Marketing Begins With Early Teaser Artwork
Because filming is still underway, Lionsgate has not released a trailer for John Rambo.
The studio has instead begun early marketing with teaser artwork tied to the production announcement. These first promotional images typically serve to confirm the project publicly while filming continues.
A full trailer will likely arrive later in the production cycle once editing begins and the film moves closer to its planned release window.
A Long-Running Action Franchise Enters a New Phase
The Rambo series began with First Blood in 1982 and became one of the defining action franchises of the 1980s.
Subsequent entries — including Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III, the 2008 revival Rambo, and 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood — kept the character active across multiple decades of action cinema.
With John Rambo, Lionsgate is testing whether the franchise can continue without Stallone in the lead role while still maintaining the character’s identity.
For now, production continues in Thailand as the film moves toward its currently listed 2027 theatrical release window.