ラムボー前日譚、制作進行中

The long-awaited return of Rambo is on the horizon — not as a sequel, but as a prequel titled John Rambo, set to dive deep into the origins of the iconic Vietnam War veteran and one of action cinema’s most enduring figures.

Directed by Jalmari Helander, known for his gritty, high-tension action films like Sisu and Big Game, the movie will explore the formative years of Rambo during the Vietnam War, offering a fresh yet grounded look at how the man who would become legend was forged in the crucible of combat. This marks a bold shift from the more modern, morally complex tone of the 2008 Rambo and 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood, both of which focused on the character’s later life and post-war trauma.

The project was announced by Deadline, which noted that John Rambo will be presented at the Cannes Marché du Film, the world’s premier marketplace for film financing and distribution. This placement signals Millennium Media’s intent to attract international buyers and secure backing for the film — a smart move given the franchise’s global appeal.

The screenplay, penned by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, brings a nuanced touch to the material. Their previous work includes The Mauritanian, a powerful drama about justice and human rights, and Black Adam, a DC blockbuster. Their involvement suggests a story that may not only deliver intense action but also delve into the psychological and moral dimensions of war — a departure from the more straightforward revenge-driven narratives of past installments.

Filming is set to begin in Thailand this October, a choice that likely reflects the country’s strong infrastructure for large-scale action productions and its visual resemblance to the Southeast Asian jungles that defined the Vietnam War era.

While Sylvester Stallone, the actor who originated the role and embodied Rambo across five films, is aware of the project, he is not currently attached as a cast member. This opens the door for a new interpretation of the character — potentially a younger, more raw version of Rambo, shaped by war rather than haunted by it.

Still, fans will likely wonder: Can a Rambo prequel work without Stallone? The answer may lie in Helander’s proven track record. His 2023 film Sisu — a Finnish World War II thriller in which an aging resistance fighter single-handedly takes on an entire German battalion — was praised for its relentless pacing, brutal realism, and emotional depth. It proved that Helander understands how to balance explosive action with character-driven storytelling.

If John Rambo follows a similar path — emphasizing psychological realism, tactical precision, and the dehumanizing cost of war — it could reinvigorate the franchise in a way that honors its legacy while feeling entirely new.

With a strong script, a visionary director, and a story set at the dawn of Rambo’s mythos, this prequel might not just revive the franchise — it could redefine it.

🔥 Stay tuned — the legend may be reborn not as a warrior, but as a man shaped by war.

John Rambo — coming to cinemas in 2025 (tentative).
Directed by Jalmari Helander.
Written by Rory Haines & Sohrab Noshirvani.
Filming in Thailand — October 2024.
From Millennium Media.