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Forgive me for being a little late with this one today as I had to post it as soon as I got home from work, but it would appear, and I did do a double take when I first saw this, that Millennium Media, best known for the action blockbuster franchise for the Has Fallen series and The Expendables, looks to finally be pulling the pin for a prequel to the Rambo franchise. You heard it right. The company is looking to officially produce a prequel action film for Stallone’s John J. Rambo which would take place before the events of the original First Blood. I can hear you all now asking if this is a joke but I am here to say no it is not and Stallone even knows about it but is unattached in any capacity at this point.
The prequel is said to betitled John Rambo which was actually the title of the director’s cut of the fourth film and Millennium has even nabbed director Jalmari Helander who is best known for the bloody and brutally over the top WWII period actioner Sisu. I guess fans can take comfort that if this indeed to happen, at least a competent helmer has been chosen to lead the way. Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam) are said to be co-writing the script and there are set plans to try and start filming sometime this October in Thailand.
There are no plot details at this time, but it is being said that the prequel will follow Rambo when he was a Green Beret in the Vietnam War. Casting is now underway but I’m pretty sure whoever they get, unless it’s a slam dunk casting choice, will be met with disdain from the legions of fans, me being one of them, of this franchise.
The production team for John Rambo includes Kevin King-Templeton via Templeton Media, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger and Avi Lerner. Executive producers include Trevor Short, and Bonfire Legends’ Dallas Sonnier and Amanda Presmyk according to Deadline.
“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,” said Millennium President Jonathan Yunger. “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.”
“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,” Helender stated in the story.
Millenium Media is bringing the prequel to the Cannes Market and has mentioned to Stallone that he is invited to participate in the project in front or behind the camera or both. Hopefully Sly will jump onboard as he has mentioned in the past that he would like toi tell Rambo’s early story. there was even mention of a TV series that would have teamed up the OG Rambo with his son but that never got off the ground.
Helender is truly an exceptional director and really has a keen eye for visually striking action set pieces mixed with bombastic and bloody carnage so there is that to look forward to. Sisu was a savage tour de force of mutilating action design that had violence that rivaled anything seen in the goriest horror flicks of the present and past. Whether or not they delve into the off the chain approach with this movie remains to be seen.
Lock N Load folks because a young John Rambo is on the way. Whether we want it or not.
