Noah Centineo cast as John Rambo in the prequel to First Blood.

      Director Jalmari Helander (Sisu) may have identified his leading actor for the forthcoming John Rambo prequel. As reported by Deadline, Noah Centineo (The Recruit) is in discussions to portray a young Rambo in the action film.

      Details about the plot are not being disclosed at this time, but John Rambo will focus on the character’s early years as a Green Beret recruit during the Vietnam War, delving into his wartime experiences and the trauma that shaped his journey in the original film, First Blood, where he was portrayed by Sylvester Stallone.

      Rambo has become one of cinema’s most recognizable action figures, first appearing in David Morrell's First Blood novel, with five films featuring Stallone released since 1982. John Rambo will be the sixth installment in the franchise, based on a script by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.

      Production for John Rambo is set to commence in Thailand in early 2026. The film will be produced by Millennium Media, with Lionsgate likely involved, given their history with the 2008 Rambo and 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood.

      Centineo is recognized for his performances in several young adult series, including The Fosters and the To All The Boys I’ve Loved trilogy. However, he has recently taken on more action and drama-focused roles in Netflix’s The Recruit, A24’s Warfare, and the upcoming live-action Street Fighter film.

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie updates and discussions about nerd culture.