Ever since John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic Rambo franchise, was announced at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, development has quickly accelerated.
Lionsgate has set John Rambo for release on Jun.
Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo in Rambo: Last Blood LionsgateJohn Rambo is being produced by Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Michael Disco.
As of right now, John Rambo is the only film set to open in theaters on June 4 next year.
Compared to those adventures that are fun for the whole family, John Rambo will serve a bit as counterprogramming with much more violence.
Ever since John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic Rambo franchise, was announced at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, development has quickly accelerated. Jalmari Helander (Sisu) signed on to direct a script by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani that will explore John Rambo's time in Vietnam before the events of the classic 1982 film First Blood. Noah Centineo is set to play the title role, with original Rambo actor Sylvester Stallone signed on as an executive producer.
Lionsgate has set John Rambo for release on Jun. 4, 2027. In addition to Noah Centineo, the cast includes David Harbour as Colonel Sam Trautman, who was previously played by Richard Crenna in the first three films. James Franco has joined the cast in an unknown role, his first major Hollywood role since 2018, following accusations of sexual misconduct.
Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo in Rambo: Last Blood Lionsgate
John Rambo is being produced by Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Michael Disco. In addition to Sylvester Stallone, other executive producers include Trevor Short, Dallas Sonnier, Amanda Presmyk, and both Joe and Anthony Russo. The Russo brothers' production company, AGBO, is producing alongside Lionsgate and Millennium Media.
While First Blood was a more introspective action film released in October 1982, the subsequent two sequels became staples of the 1980s blockbuster summer-movie season. Rambo: First Blood Part II opened in theaters on May 22, 1985, and grossed $300 million worldwide, while Rambo III opened on May 25, 1988, and grossed $189 million globally. The following sequels, 2008's Rambo and 2019's Rambo: The Last Blood, were released in January and October, respectively. The five films have a combined total of $819 million at the worldwide box office.
John Rambo will now attempt to return the franchise to its summer blockbuster status. Lionsgate has positioned John Rambo to open one week after Star Wars: Starfighter and one week before How to Train Your Dragon 2. As of right now, John Rambo is the only film set to open in theaters on June 4 next year. Compared to those adventures that are fun for the whole family, John Rambo will serve a bit as counterprogramming with much more violence.
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That first weekend in June is the same frame that Lionsgate opened From the World of John Wick: Ballerina last summer, which seemingly performed well enough to want to replicate those accomplishments. The R-rated spin-off to the studio's most popular action franchise ultimately grossed $140 million globally, though it was seen as a disappointment when compared to its $90-million budget. Maybe John Rambo will do better.
Quiz 5 Questions How Much Do You Know About The New John Rambo Prequel? Your Top Score -- Attempts -- Average 93% Users 15 Start Quiz 0 0
