John Rambo Prequel: Cast, Story and June 2027 Release Date

Production on John Rambo began in Bangkok on January 29, 2026. The film is a prequel to First Blood, with Noah Centineo taking the lead role and a U.S. theatrical release scheduled for June 4, 2027.

What the prequel is about

The story explores John Rambo’s younger years during the Vietnam War, before the events of the 1982 film. Detailed plot points and a trailer have not yet been released, so claims about specific missions or connections beyond First Blood remain unconfirmed.

Cast

Noah Centineo plays the young John Rambo, while David Harbour has joined the film as Major Trautman. The announced ensemble also includes Yao, James Franco, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White and Tayme Thapthimthong.

Director and production team

Jalmari Helander, director of Sisu, is directing from a screenplay by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani. Millennium Media, Templeton Media and AGBO are involved in the production, with Lionsgate handling distribution.

Sylvester Stallone, who originated the screen role, joined the prequel as an executive producer in March 2026. Anthony and Joe Russo are also among the executive producers.

Release date and current status

Lionsgate has set John Rambo for June 4, 2027, in U.S. theaters. International dates can differ by distributor, and no official trailer or home-release schedule has been announced as of August 2026.

Sources

The production start and initial cast were reported by Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. Variety confirms the release date and updated cast, while Lionsgate’s news page lists the studio announcement.

Original report: Film.ru.