Sly Reacts To Noah Centineo Cast as John Rambo in Rambo Prequel
The “Tulsa King” star understands the challenge of taking over iconic roles
Sylvester Stallone, the action legend who forever changed Hollywood with his portrayal of John Rambo, is officially passing the torch—and has some strong words for his successor. With Noah Centineo cast as the younger Rambo in a highly anticipated prequel, Stallone’s reaction proves that stepping into these combat boots might be the toughest job in showbiz.
Stallone’s Challenge: Why It’s No Cakewalk
Stallone, who first played Rambo in 1982’s “First Blood,” weighed in candidly on Centineo’s casting. “It’s very, very hard,” said Stallone, referencing the intense stunts and raw emotion embedded in the role. He compared the challenge to his own experience with remakes—like “Get Carter”—noting that fans always have a bias toward the original.
“He may do a stellar job, but you’re overcoming this because everyone loves the original, and then you’re always fighting that prejudice”.
Stallone’s New Vision for Young Rambo
While Stallone supports Centineo, the star revealed he once pitched an AI-driven take on a young Rambo, imagining himself de-aged digitally for a backstory movie. Instead, Centineo will play Rambo before the trauma of war turned him into an iconic “havoc machine.” Stallone’s hopes for the prequel highlight Rambo’s transformation: from popular student and star athlete to valedictorian, whose Vietnam experience “broke him down”.
Rambo Legacy: Can Centineo Measure Up?
Stallone’s epic, decade-spanning run as Rambo is the stuff of legend. He’s starred in five explosive films, with the series earning more than $800 million worldwide—so expectations are sky-high. With the prequel set to explore Rambo’s evolution from promising youth to a soul shattered by war, Centineo faces the daunting task of making the role his own while honoring Stallone’s emotional blueprint.
Tulsa King and Rambo’s Next Era
While Stallone embraces change—celebrating the ongoing success of “Tulsa King” and wishing Centineo success—he remains sentimental about the character that shaped his career. Filming for the prequel starts next year in Thailand, and fans everywhere are watching to see if Noah Centineo can deliver a Rambo worthy of Stallone’s towering legacy.
Hollywood’s iconic warrior is about to get a new origin story. Will Centineo become the next action hero the world can root for, or will Stallone’s shadow loom too large for anyone to follow? Only time—and fans’ hearts—will tell.
