New Rambo Movie Will Have a ‘Different’ Version of Iconic Hero, Says Director

Jalmari Helander addressed one of the most discussed questions surrounding his upcoming Rambo project in a new interview, where he explained how the prequel will present a different version of John Rambo before the events of First Blood. The director said the film begins with a younger Rambo whose life contrasts with earlier portrayals.

Jalmari Helander on how different John Rambo will be in the prequel from previous versions

Jalmari Helander said in a new interview with GamesRadar, “It is different, because we are gonna start in a place where everything is basically pretty okay for Rambo.” He added, “He is happy and younger and all that, because we are telling the origin story.”

He continued, “What would happen to him? Why did he become that kind of dude that we have all seen in First Blood? So it is different.” Noah Centineo leads the prequel as the young Rambo, with the story set during the Vietnam War, as per reports. Stallone won’t be reportedly involved in the project.

In a separate interview with Dexerto, Helander discussed the tonal approach. He stated, “It will not be as dark as the last two Rambos,” referencing Rambo from 2008 and Rambo: Last Blood from 2019.

He also explained, “It is going to be a little more adventurous, and I hope to inspire a new generation of 10-year-olds to go into the forest to play Rambo. Let us see how that goes.” The past two entries focused on missions in Burma and Mexico.

The prequel examines Rambo’s early years and the events that “shaped one of cinema’s most memorable action heroes.” Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani have written the script. Helander confirmed that he will travel to Bangkok for “hard prep” as the team prepares to begin filming in January 2026. Helander’s involvement was announced in May, and reports stated that the production revealed Centineo’s casting in August.

Source: Comingsoon.net