Imagine a world where the iconic Rambo, the embodiment of American muscle and might, is reimagined through the eyes of a younger generation. But here's where it gets controversial: Sylvester Stallone, the man who brought Rambo to life, isn’t exactly thrilled about handing over the reins to Noah Centineo for the upcoming prequel, John Rambo. Could this be the end of an era, or a fresh start for a franchise that’s long been criticized for its jingoistic and racially insensitive portrayals?
Let’s rewind for a moment. The Rambo series, which began with Ted Kotcheff’s First Blood, has always been a celebration of American power, often at the expense of nuanced storytelling—especially when it comes to non-white characters. The 2019 installment, Rambo: Last Blood, was particularly cringe-worthy, with its offensive stereotypes of Mexicans drawing widespread criticism. It felt like a relic of a bygone era, much like Charles Bronson’s Death Wish films, which similarly relied on harmful tropes about people of color. And this is the part most people miss: Despite its flaws, Rambo has always been a cultural juggernaut, and Stallone’s portrayal of the character is nothing short of iconic.
Now, enter Noah Centineo, the heartthrob known for Netflix’s To All the Boys series and The Recruit. While Centineo is no stranger to the spotlight, his casting as a young Rambo has raised eyebrows—including Stallone’s. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Stallone admitted he knows very little about Centineo, which isn’t surprising given their vastly different career trajectories. But here’s the kicker: Stallone had his own vision for a Rambo prequel, one that explored the character’s transformation from a straight-A student and football captain into a PTSD-ridden killing machine. Millennium Media, however, decided to move forward without him, leaving Stallone uncertain about the project’s direction.
Stallone’s idea was compelling: a deep dive into Rambo’s psyche, showing how the war shattered his innocence and turned him into the havoc-wreaking machine we know. He envisioned a story that began with Rambo’s enthusiasm for war—‘I can’t wait to go to war. This is going to be fun. This will be over in three weeks’—only to reveal the devastating consequences. It’s a narrative that could add much-needed depth to the character, but will John Rambo live up to this vision? Stallone isn’t convinced.
Interestingly, Stallone once floated the idea of using AI de-aging technology to play an 18-year-old Rambo himself. While the thought of a digitally de-aged Stallone is cringe-worthy—and perhaps a bit vain—it’s a testament to his attachment to the role. (Remember Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot? That was a vanity project gone wrong, thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ego-stroking tactics.) Thankfully, John Rambo is in the hands of Sisu director Jalmari Helander, which offers a glimmer of hope. But let’s be honest: Rambo is a character defined by action, and revisiting his origins feels unnecessary. If you want a film about young men being turned into killers, Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket already did it brilliantly.
Here’s the burning question: Is John Rambo a fresh take on a classic character, or a cash grab that risks diluting Rambo’s legacy? Stallone seems skeptical, and so are many fans. What do you think? Is there room for a new Rambo, or should some icons be left untouched? Let’s debate in the comments—this is one controversy that’s sure to spark differing opinions.
