John Rambo Starts Production and Adds More Cast

Lionsgate announced today that John Rambo, the upcoming origin story to the legendary franchise, has commenced production in Bangkok, Thailand. The film stars Noah Centineo (Street Fighter) as the one-man fighting force, directed by Jalmari Helander (Sisu, Sisu: Road to Revenge).

The film’s screenplay is by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam, The Mauritanian), and the film is produced by Kevin King Templeton and Les Weldon (Rambo & Expendables franchises), Jonathan Yunger (Rambo: Last Blood, Expend4bles) for Millennium Media, and Michael Disco (San Andreas, Rampage) and Angela Russo-Otstot (Extraction, The Gray Man) for AGBO.

The executive producers include Anthony and Joe Russo (Avengers, Captain America), Trevor Short (Expendables franchise) for Millennium Media, Dallas Sonnier (Bone Tomahawk, The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin), and Amanda Presmyk (Dragged Across Concrete, Run Hide Fight) for Bonfire Legend. The film will be distributed by Lionsgate.

John Rambo takes audiences back years before the events of First Blood, diving deep into the roots and experiences that forged one of the big screen’s most enduring and complex characters.

Also announced today, Centineo will be joined by an ensemble cast including yao (Sinners), Jason Tobin (A Thousand Blows), Quincy Isaiah (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Jefferson White (Yellowstone), and Tayme Thapthimthong (The White Lotus).

Helander will bring John Rambo the intense, physical approach that resonated with audiences and critics. Filming locations will take place across Thailand, including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Kanchanaburi.

The studio also released a start-of-production image and a director’s statement from Jalmari Helander. “When I was eleven, I saw First Blood for the first time, and it changed my life,” Helander said. “Rambo wasn’t just a film to me—it stayed with me growing up and was a defining influence on why I wanted to become a filmmaker.

“As we begin production on the origin of John Rambo, we’re going back to the beginning. This is Rambo stripped down, raw, and real—a survival story about endurance, persistence, and lost innocence. It’s an honor to shape this next chapter with deep respect for the character and the legacy, and to bring audiences the start of John Rambo’s journey.”

Erin Westerman, president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “We’re thrilled to start production on John Rambo, which will allow both new audiences and existing fans to explore John Rambo’s roots, his principles, and most importantly, some incredible action, courtesy of Jalmari’s singular vision.

“And we’re so excited for Noah’s committed and powerful performance to show what forged this character into legend.”

Angela Russo-Otstot, producer at AGBO, added, “It’s a rare opportunity to revisit one of our favorite characters and a privilege to place him in the gifted hands of Noah and Jalmari. If these first days of photography have taught us anything, it’s that John Rambo is going to be a powerful and resonant chapter of this beloved canon.”

Producers Kevin King Templeton and Les Weldon said, “As we go back to tell John Rambo’s origin story, we’re very mindful of the character’s legacy. Jalmari approaches the film with discipline, and Noah brings not only the physical commitment, but the deep understanding of the character’s core beliefs and motivations that the role demands. They’re a powerful combination.”