The Russo Brothers Will Executive Produce the New Rambo Movie Starring Noah Centineo

Russo, meet Rambo. Anthony and Joe Russo’s AGBO will produce John Rambo, the upcoming prequel-reboot of the iconic action franchise that Noah Centineo (Black Adam, The Recruit) is in final negotiations to star in.

AGBO will produce John Rambo in association with Lionsgate and Millennium Media, Lionsgate announced Wednesday. The Russo Brothers themselves will serve as executive producers.

Sisu’s Jalmari Helander will direct the movie from a screenplay by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (The Mauritanian, Black Adam). Angela Russo-Otstot and Michael Disco will produce for AGBO, alongside Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, and Jonathan Yunger for Millennium Media.

“Set during the Vietnam War and filming in Thailand, John Rambo will explore the formative experiences that shaped one of cinema’s most memorable action heroes,” according to the official announcement.

Production on John Rambo is expected to begin in early 2026.

“Rambo is one of the most enduring and iconic figures in action cinema and exploring the origins of that mythology is an incredibly exciting opportunity,” said Angela Russo-Otstot, Chief Creative Officer, AGBO.

“Everyone knows John Rambo is a relentless force of nature, but what truly distinguishes him are his principles, his code, his unerring sense of what’s right, and his willingness to risk everything to defend it. Jalmari brings the raw action and emotional depth needed to pay homage to this legendary character. We’re thrilled to collaborate with our partners at Lionsgate and Millennium to support his vision and introduce a new generation to Rambo.”

Charlotte Koh, Executive Vice President , Acquisitions & Co-Productions Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said: “Combining our longstanding partnership with Millennium Media with AGBO’s groundbreaking body of work and Jalmari’s singularly visceral directing talent, we are confident that John Rambo will be an event film that is a must-see for action fans.”

Sylvester Stallone portrayed the former U.S. Army Special Forces badass in five films over nearly 40 years: First Blood (1982), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Rambo III (1988), Rambo (2008), and Rambo: Last Blood (2019).

The character of John J. Rambo was created by author David Morrell for his 1972 novel First Blood. Morrell blasted Rambo: Last Blood when it came out, posting on social media at the time: “The film is a mess. Embarrassed to have my name associated with it.”

It was reported earlier this week that Lionsgate has also secured the rights to a different Sylvester Stallone-led action franchise, The Expendables, with plans to “to develop and produce all future derivative works based on The Expendables franchise, including potential film and television projects, video games and immersive experiences.”