The new Rambo film may be attempting to take on one of Sylvester Stallone’s most iconic roles, but a new report says it does it justice.
Stallone debuted the character of Rambo in the 1982 film First Blood. Directed by Ted Kotcheff, this one-person action army genre film is centered on a war veteran who has to go head-to-head with a sheriff and the National Guard. Stallone went on to star in two more Rambo movies in the ’80s, and reprise the role in 2008 and 2019.
Speaking with Business Insider in an interview, Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson speaks on the strength of the franchise’s new movie, John Rambo. He says that it is “rare for dailies to blow you away” in his career, but that these are “electric.” The film feels “entirely fresh” but also “entirely respectful of what was created previously.” Check out Fogelson’s full quote below:
The footage Jalmari has shot is extraordinary; it’s the best version of what I thought might be possible. At this point in my career, it’s kind of rare for dailies to blow you away. You can be really happy, or you can say, ‘Oh no.’ It’s rare for it to be electric. These dailies are electric.
It is a prequel, but when you see him as this character, it simultaneously feels entirely fresh and yet has all of the nostalgic residue that you’d want. You’re going to understand the character that you eventually meet in the subsequent films in a way that feels both entirely respectful of what was created previously and entirely original at the same time.
As the Lionsgate head references, John Rambo is a prequel that takes place before the events of First Blood, following the titular character’s days as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War. The lead is played by young adult heartthrob Noah Centineo, with a supporting cast that includes David Harbour, Jason Tobin, and Jefferson White.
Even in a new, younger version of the character, Centineo has big shoes to fill. As goofy as some of the films may be, Rambo is perhaps Stallone’s most iconic character outside Rocky. For years, the actor’s image has been synonymous with the Rambo movies.
And the films have also been hugely successful at the box office. First Blood made over $125 million on an estimated budget of about $15 million. Even without being adjusted for inflation and today’s standards, this represents an impressive return for the film.
While Fogelson does not specifically call out Centineo’s performance, he does call out director Jalmari Helander. The Finnish director is best known for his work on the Sisu duology. Like First Blood, both Sisu movies live in the one person action army subgenre, well-preparing Helander for the task.
The Sisu movies, just like Rambo, also straddle the line between over-the-top and campy and genuine character beats. This paid off with critics, as both films have over 90%, Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes scores. If Helander even comes close to replicating the greatness he crafted with Sisu, John Rambo audiences are in for a wild and exciting ride.
Director
Jalmari Helander
Writers
Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani
Producers
Kevin King Templeton, Les Weldon, Michael Disco, Angela Russo-Otstot