Love him or hate him, Rambo is a character who has endured for more than five decades. First introduced in David Morrell’s 1972 novel First Blood, John Rambo quickly evolved from a literary figure into one of the most recognizable icons in action cinema history. Since then, the character has stormed the big screen in five major films (with John Rambo often counted as the sixth chapter), along with an animated TV series that further cemented his pop-culture legacy.
While countless action heroes have come and gone, Sylvester Stallone’s portrayal of Rambo remains unforgettable. His performance as a battle-hardened soldier struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and an inability to reintegrate into civilian life gave the franchise an emotional weight rarely seen in the genre at the time. Across the films, audiences witnessed Rambo’s evolution, from a haunted drifter to a reluctant warrior fighting for others, and, at times, a man driven by vengeance.
That legacy now faces a new chapter. In May 2025, it was officially announced that Millennium Media is developing a First Blood prequel titled John Rambo. The film will be directed by Jalmari Helander, best known for the brutal and stylish 2022 action hit Sisu. Notably, Stallone is not expected to be involved with the project in any capacity, a creative choice that has already sparked debate among longtime fans.
Helander has been open about his passion for the character, stating:
“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.”
It’s an exciting sentiment, but it also raises an important question: will audiences connect with a Rambo film without Stallone? Exploring Rambo’s early years and showing how he became the man audiences first met in First Blood could be genuinely compelling. However, Stallone’s presence has always been inseparable from the character, and his absence may prove to be a difficult hurdle to overcome.
The landscape of action cinema has also changed dramatically. When the original Rambo films debuted, action stars were few and far between. Today, audiences are flooded with high-octane releases every year. To stand out, John Rambo will need to offer more than spectacle alone. The violence has always been part of the franchise, but its lasting power came from character, trauma, and quiet moments of reflection. A deeper, more dramatic exploration of Rambo’s psyche could be exactly what this prequel needs.
Whether John Rambo becomes a powerful new chapter or a forgotten footnote remains to be seen. Until more details emerge—and a trailer finally drops—I’m cautiously optimistic. Like many fans who grew up with the character, I’m still rooting for Rambo, just as I did when I was a kid.
