‘John Rambo’ Prequel Movie in the Works From Millennium

‘Sisu’ director Jalmari Helander is aboard to handle the new film, which would explore Rambo’s Vietnam stint. Sylvester Stallone isn’t involved –– yet.

Sylvester Stallone in 'First Blood'. Photo: Orion Pictures.

Preview:

A ‘Rambo’/‘First Blood’ prequel is in the works.
It’ll follow John Rambo’s days in Vietnam.
'Sisu's Jalmari Helander is aboard to direct.

We’ve reached a point where almost any major franchise is being looked at as something that needs all its narrative nooks and crannies filled in. And yes, there have been famous examples of prequels that added useful layers to movies that had gone before –– ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.’

Word, however, ‘First Blood’ in 1982, is in line for its own story of what happened before, makes us wonder whether the reasoning is truly to expand the story or simply to mine new potential profit from an existing franchise.

First Blood

"This time he's fighting for his life."

R1 hr 33 min Oct 22nd, 1982

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch First Blood Online

Especially since the new development comes from Millennium Media, which has rarely found an action premise it didn’t want to spin into a multi-movie story from ‘The Expendables.’

Still, it is going forward, with Millennium hiring Rory Haines and (who worked on ‘John Rambo’ to screens, with a shoot aimed for October in Thailand.

Here’s what Millennium President Jonathan Yunger had to say about the new development:

“We are thrilled to introduce a fresh new chapter to the ‘Rambo’ legacy. This project is a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history that will appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences alike. With Jalmari Helander at the helm — a filmmaker of exceptional vision and energy — we’ve found the perfect director to deliver a high-concept action-packed experience.”

And here’s Helander:

“I have been the biggest fan of Rambo since the age of 11. It is so surreal to be in a situation where I can actually make my own ‘Rambo’ movie. The chain of events that got me here makes, in a fantastic way, my whole childhood make sense. I can’t wait to bring the greatest action hero back to the big screen where he belongs.”

What’s the story of the ‘Rambo’ movies?

Sylvester Stallone in 'First Blood'. Photo: Orion Pictures.

It’s worth ing here that the character didn’t originate on the screen; Rambo was created by David Morell in his 1972 novel ‘First Blood.’

The 1982 adaptation featured a script by Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim and Sylvester Stallone, with Ted Kotcheff in the director’s chair, calling the shots (and explosions).

Stallone also starred as veteran Green Beret who is forced by a cruel sheriff and his deputies to flee into the mountains and wage an escalating one-man war against his pursuers.

It was a gritty, stripped-down and smaller-scale entry compared to what the franchise evolved into with 1985’s ‘Rambo: First Blood Part II,’ which blew things up into a much more blockbuster action level.

That one saw Rambo returning to the jungles of Vietnam on a mission to infiltrate an enemy base-camp and rescue the American POWs still held captive there.

The five movies in the franchise have generated more than $800 million worldwide. The most recent update, 2019’s ‘Rambo: Last Blood,’ produced by Millennium and Stallone’s Balboa company, made $92 million at the box office.

What would the story be for ‘John Rambo’?

Filmmaker Jalmari Helander. Photo: Golden Globes Website.

Little is known about specifics yet; beyond that it’ll follow the origin story of a young John Rambo during the Vietnam War. We know that some serious stuff went down for Rambo, so expecting to be both action-packed and traumatic for whoever gets the lead role.

As to that question, no-one has been cast yet; the idea of someone trying to strap on Sly’s bandana is not an easy one. Plus, reactions to big prequels such as this are always mixed –– unless you get it right, it’s usually seen as a wasted opportunity.

Helander at least feels like a solid pair of hands: ‘Sisu’ was very effective and he can clearly orchestrate action that also blends in emotion.

Haines and Noshirvani are more of a concern, but they did also write the likes of 2021’s ‘The Informer.’

And if you’re wondering whether the most recognizable person of the ‘Rambo’ movies –– Stallone –– is involved, Deadline’s story includes mention that he’s been made aware of the new development, but is not yet involved. The producers are reportedly hoping he might at least cameo, but don’t hold your breath.

When will ‘John Rambo’ be in theaters?

Millennium has the rights to the movie available at this year’s Cannes Market, and while we can certainly imagine interest in it, there is no distributor attached yet so no release date to report.