‘Rambo’ Prequel Director Reveals How the Iconic Action Hero Will Be “Different”

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The director of Sisu: Road to Revenge is known for intense, violent action, making him a strong choice to direct the new John Rambo prequel. Helander, the director, has stated that this prequel will offer a fresh take on the famous action hero.

The Rambo series, starring Sylvester Stallone, started with the 1982 film First Blood. It introduced John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran who clashes with the law in the town of Hope, Washington. Based on a novel by David Morrell, the Rambo films became increasingly action-packed and violent with each sequel. The most recent installment, Rambo: Last Blood (2019), received mostly negative reviews.

Jalmari Helander, the director of Sisu, is taking on the challenge of revitalizing the Rambo series. The new prequel film has cast Noah Centineo, known for his roles in Black Adam and The Recruit, as the lead. Helander recently told GamesRadar+ that this version of John Rambo will be surprisingly cheerful – a stark contrast to the character’s usually troubled nature.

This story is a fresh take on the Rambo legend. We’re starting at the beginning, showing a younger, happier Rambo and exploring the events that shaped him into the iconic character we know from the first movie. It’s a different kind of Rambo story than people are used to.

‘John Rambo’ Will Explore the Character’s Time in Vietnam


Netflix

Jalmari Helander’s goal with the new Rambo prequel is to offer a fresh take on the character’s origins. Although the exact plot details are still under wraps, the director has shared with MovieWeb that the film will delve into John Rambo’s time in Vietnam and the events that shaped him into the iconic action hero we recognize.

I’m still developing my vision for the project, and it will definitely be inspired by Rambo. It’s a work in progress, and I’m not ready to share details just yet.

This film explores the experiences of a soldier during the Vietnam War and how those events shaped the character we see in First Blood. While it touches on the soldier’s inner struggles, it’s primarily an action-packed story.

Director Jalmari Helander excels at action, as proven by his Sisu franchise. This series features Jorma Tommila as Aatami Korpi, a resourceful hero often compared to Rambo and John Wick. The first Sisu film, released in 2022, tells the story of a solitary gold prospector who fights back against a group of Nazi soldiers who steal his earnings during the final days of WWII. The movie received positive reviews and is currently available to stream for free on Tubi.

Aatami Korpi returns in the action-packed sequel, Sisu: Road to Revenge, continuing the story shortly after the first film. This time, he’s pursued across the country by the man responsible for his family’s death. Sisu: Road to Revenge arrives in theaters on November 21st and has earned a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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2025-11-20 17:48