5 Minutes
Stallone, AI and a new look at Rambo’s origin
More than four decades after he first inhabited John Rambo in 1982's First Blood, Sylvester Stallone has floated an idea that bridges nostalgia and cutting-edge tech: he says he offered to be digitally de-aged so he could portray a teenage Rambo in a proposed origin film. The suggestion — made during a recent podcast appearance — lands amid reports that Noah Centineo is in talks to lead Millennium Media’s prequel package, currently titled John Rambo.
The project would trace the character back to his youth and the Vietnam War era. Millennium has tapped director Jalmari Helander with a script by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani; industry reports say filming could begin in Thailand early in 2026, and Lionsgate is a likely distributor. Stallone, who created the screen Rambo after David Morrell’s 1972 novel First Blood, remains aware of the project but is not officially attached — aside from his own proposal to be digitally aged down.
Stallone framed the idea in practical terms, arguing that modern AI and visual-effects tools make a credible younger version possible. He referenced the ability of sophisticated de-aging tech to map facial features and recreate a consistent likeness at a younger age. That approach mirrors recent trends in cinema, where franchises and filmmakers have mixed archival footage, CGI and actor-driven de-aging to revisit earlier eras without recasting entirely.
Where this idea fits in franchise and industry trends
Rambo is not the first franchise to weigh the line between recasting and digital youth. Marvel films and Scorsese’s The Irishman are often cited when audiences talk about de-aging and CGI faces; episodic TV has also experimented with brief de-aged appearances. At the same time, studios more commonly opt to cast younger actors for origin stories — the reported interest in Centineo reflects that formula.
Stallone himself acknowledged the cultural hurdles for anyone stepping into such an iconic role. He pointed to the backlash he experienced with his Get Carter remake as a cautionary example: audiences often hold deep attachments to originals, making prequels and reboots a delicate proposition.
Beyond nostalgia, the Rambo prequel taps into broader box-office and streaming dynamics. The character has generated more than $800 million worldwide across five films, and Last Blood (2019) earned roughly $92 million. Studios see origin tales as lower-risk ways to expand IP, but they must convince both longtime fans and newer viewers that the story adds value rather than simply trading on a familiar name.
Creative and ethical questions around AI de-aging
Using AI or advanced VFX to create a younger Stallone raises creative and ethical questions. Purists worry about uncanny valley effects and authenticity; others see digital de-aging as an extension of makeup, stunt doubles and archival compositing that filmmakers have used for decades. Copyright, likeness rights and consent also become central in conversations about synthetic performances — especially when public figures propose recreating earlier versions of themselves.
There are practical advantages too: retaining an original actor’s performance can preserve vocal mannerisms and physical nuance that a recast might not replicate. But it can also limit reinterpretation; a new actor might bring fresh emotional texture to a formative chapter of a well-known character.
'Marko Jensen, cinema historian, notes: 'The tension here is classic — technology lets us revisit icons, but storytelling must justify the return. If a prequel deepens Rambo’s humanity, the method of casting or de-aging becomes secondary.'
What to watch for next
At this stage the prequel’s plot details remain under wraps. Key items to follow will be casting announcements, the team’s visual-effects approach, and whether the production leans on traditional practical effects (a Rambo hallmark) or a heavier VFX palette. Fans and critics will also parse who the film is really for: devoted Rambo followers, a younger audience curious about origin myths, or international markets attracted by wartime drama and action set pieces.
Whether the final choice will favor a young actor like Noah Centineo, an AI-assisted Stallone, or a hybrid approach, the debate around this Rambo prequel highlights larger industry questions about legacy, technology, and how to retell a story while honoring its past. The outcome should reveal as much about contemporary filmmaking as it does about John Rambo himself.
Source: deadline
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