The highly anticipated prequel, "John Rambo," featuring Noah Centineo in the titular role, has officially wrapped filming, marking a significant milestone for the project. Centineo is set to portray a younger version of the iconic action character, a role famously associated with Sylvester Stallone, and the film promises a deep dive into the character's origins and trauma.

Noah Centineo revealed at CinemaCon 2026 that the film's guiding light was the profound and emotional monologue delivered by Rambo in "First Blood" at the police station, where he breaks down recounting his past trauma. Centineo stated, "At least for me, that was my North Star for this prequel, because our John Rambo is the prequel to that story. We want people to have a visceral understanding of what he went through that led him to become this revered character that we’ve all come to know." This approach suggests the film aims for a raw and emotionally resonant exploration of Rambo's pain, moving beyond a standard action-heavy origin story. Centineo also humorously confirmed the film's intensity by stating about its rating, "It’s not G."

Centineo's journey to securing the role was one of persistence. Initially, director Jalmari Helander (known for "Sisu" and its sequel, "Sisu: Road to Revenge") was hesitant, given Centineo's public persona from films like "To All the Boys I've Loved Before." However, through long conversations and a deep commitment to understanding the character, Centineo eventually convinced Helander. He recounted, "I just had a feeling... I need to be that guy. I need to try this." After multiple meetings and Zooms, Helander eventually called him to say, "You’re Rambo," a moment Centineo described as surreal.

Adding to the significant casting news, "Stranger Things" star David Harbour has been confirmed to play Major Sam Trautman, the Green Beret officer who played a pivotal role in shaping Rambo. Trautman, who famously claimed to have "made Rambo" in "First Blood," was originally portrayed by Richard Crenna in the first three films of the franchise. His character was essential in dealing with Rambo's initial rampage and later recruiting him for missions. The film will delve into the Vietnam War era, depicting Rambo as a raw recruit and exploring the events that molded him into the haunted loner seen after the war's end.

The ensemble cast also includes Yao, Jason Tobin ("Warrior"), Quincy Isaiah ("Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty"), Jefferson White ("Yellowstone"), and Tayme Thapthimthong ("The White Lotus"). The film is directed by Jalmari Helander, with a script penned by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani ("The Mauritanian"), adapting characters created by David Morrell in his 1972 novel "First Blood." Executive producers include Joe and Anthony Russo, and Sylvester Stallone himself. "John Rambo" is a production of Lionsgate and Millennium Media.

While filming is complete, a release date for "John Rambo" has not yet been announced. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on this emotionally driven prequel.