Noah Centineo set to star as young John Rambo in prequel
Noah Centineo has been attached to star as a younger version of John Rambo in an upcoming prequel to the Rambo franchise, with producers reportedly planning to begin shooting in Thailand later this year.
Centineo, 29, best known for the To All the Boys… films and the Netflix spy drama The Recruit, will take on the iconic role originally made famous by Sylvester Stallone. Deadline reports say the film is titled John Rambo. According to accounts, Stallone is not involved creatively but has been informed that Centineo is attached to the project.
Centineo’s recent credits include the Netflix thriller The Recruit — canceled earlier this year after two seasons — and Alex Garland’s Warfare, in which he played a gunner in a realistic recreation of an Iraq War battle. At the Los Angeles premiere of Warfare, Centineo acknowledged The Recruit’s cancellation and said he was grateful for the show’s audience and its “cult following.”
Production in Thailand would echo the franchise’s past use of the country as a filming location; Stallone previously shot Rambo (2008) in Chiang Mai.
Stallone’s recent work has drawn critical heat: his latest film Alarum registered poorly on review aggregator sites, marking one of the lowest critical scores of his career. The veteran actor has also been publicly outspoken in recent years about his political views.
Commentary and context
– Casting a younger actor like Centineo suggests the filmmakers intend to explore Rambo’s earlier life and origins, potentially reaching a younger demographic while preserving the franchise’s legacy.
– Centineo’s mix of rom-com fame and recent action-thriller roles gives him both mainstream recognition and some genre credibility — attributes studios often look for when rebooting or expanding legacy properties.
– Filming in Thailand can provide continuity with earlier franchise entries that used Southeast Asian locations, and may facilitate authentic settings for a story about Rambo’s formative experiences.
Short summary
Noah Centineo is reported to be starring as a young John Rambo in a prequel titled John Rambo, with filming expected in Thailand later this year. Sylvester Stallone is not involved in the project but has been notified. Centineo’s recent credits include The Recruit and Warfare.
Hopeful angle
A prequel offers an opportunity to deepen the Rambo mythos and introduce the character to new audiences while honoring the franchise’s history. With Centineo’s growing action credentials, the project could bridge generations of fans and refresh the series for contemporary viewers.
Additional note
Fans of the original films may be cautious about any new iteration without Stallone’s involvement, so the film’s creative approach and respect for the character’s legacy will likely be key to its reception.