: In the words of John Rambo: “Nothing is over!”

Action vets Millennium Media, known for the Has Fallen, Hitman’s Bodyguard and Expendables franchises, are launching John Rambo at the Cannes market, a prequel to 1982 action classic First Blood.

Rare Exports, Big Game and Sisu director Jalmari Helander is set to direct from a screenplay by writing duo Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam). The aim is to start principal photography in October in Thailand.

The film’s plot is under wraps, but it will be the origin story of a young John Rambo during the Vietnam War, with casting in early stages. We understand Sylvester Stallone is aware of the project but is not currently involved. We hear the door is open from producers should a fitting role arise.

One of the most iconic action heroes in U.S. cinema, the character was created by David Morell in his novel First Blood. The 1982 original saw Stallone play a veteran Green Beret who is forced by a cruel sheriff and his deputies to flee into the mountains and wage an escalating one-man war against his pursuers. The five movies in the franchise have generated more than $800M worldwide. The most recent update, 2019 movie Rambo: Last Blood, produced by Millennium and Sly’s Balboa, made $92M at the box office.

Producers on the latest installment are Kevin King-Templeton on behalf of Templeton Media, Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger and Avi Lerner. Executive producers include Trevor Short, and Bonfire Legends’ Dallas Sonnier and Amanda Presmyk.

Haines & Noshirvani’s miniseries, Informer, was produced by Sam Mendes for BBC and Amazon in 2018, picking up a BAFTA nomination for best drama. In 2021, their debut feature, The Mauritanian, starring Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbach and Tahar Rahim, received nominations for two Golden Globes and five BAFTAs, including best adapted screenplay. In 2022, they co-wrote DC’s hit Black Adam, which starred Dwayne Johnson and grossed almost $400M at the global box office.

“We are thrilled to introduce a fresh new chapter to the Rambo legacy. This project is a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history that will appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences alike,” said Millennium President Jonathan Yunger. “With Jalmari Helander at the helm — a filmmaker of exceptional vision and energy — we’ve found the perfect director to deliver a high-concept action-packed experience.”

Added Helander: ”I have been the biggest fan of Rambo since the age of 11. It is so surreal to be in a situation where I can actually make my own Rambo movie. The chain of events that got me here makes, in a fantastic way, my whole childhood make sense. I can’t wait to bring the greatest action hero back to the big screen where he belongs.”

Millennium has Guns Up starring Kevin James and their Red Sonja reboot upcoming. They are in post-production on Lucky Strike, a World War II action thriller starring Scott Eastwood and directed by Rod Davis Lurie.

Helander is represented by Ithaka Media and WME. Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani are represented by Untitled, CAA and Jackoway Austen.