Posted on 09/22/2025 11:26:44 AM PDT by nickcarraway
“Everyone thought I was crazy,” Stallone said of his pitch that would utilize de-aging technology to see him play an 18-year-old John Rambo.
Even though it’s been four decades since he originated the role, Sylvester Stallone was ready to portray Rambo one more time.
During a conversation on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast, the Tulsa King actor revealed that he pitched his potential return to the film franchise. Instead of following up after the events of 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood, Stallone wanted to partake in a prequel project that would feature an 18-year-old John Rambo. And, yes — he wanted to play a young Rambo, with the use of de-aging AI technology.
“Everyone thought I was crazy,” Stallone said of the pitch. “AI is sophisticated enough to go through Saigon to see him at 18 years old and basically use the same image. So it isn’t as big a stretch.”
While Stallone wanted to take on the role again, Noah Centineo is reportedly set to play the character in a Rambo prequel film. Of another actor taking on one of his iconic characters, Stallone warned that it’s incredibly tough to take on an already originated role, similarly to when he starred in the 2000 Get Carter remake.
“It’s very, very hard. He may do a stellar job, but you’re overcoming this because I went through it with Get Carter,” he added. “Everyone loves the original, and then you’re always fighting that prejudice.”
Of the potential for a Rambo prequel, Stallone told The Hollywood Reporter in 2022 that he believed the movie was “getting close,” while offering a few ideas he had for the project.
“I think it’s going to happen,” he said. “I wanted to do it like a Ken Burns documentary on Vietnam, where you drop young Rambo in there and he’s this outgoing guy, football captain, and then you see why he becomes Rambo. But what they want to do is a modern-day story where I pass the torch. That’s getting close.”
Stalone should watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7RCfYcJFbw&t=2795s
Digital deaging is not your friend. Best case scenario people will be watching how “good” the deaging is and not pay attention to the story. Find your young replacement, much better way to do it.
Yes, but by the time de-aging AI gets really good, it may be too late....
Just saying.
I figured it would be a female before transitioning.
The Rambo series is history... They have done all that can be done with it. Time to move on...
It’s never too late to realize he’s too old for this and recast.
I understand the appeal of AI to produce visual story telling such as a young Stallone or a period in history that the production cost would be prohibitive etc etc —I have been a fan of Stallone since Rocky, and thank him for alternatives to Man-bashing chickflicks.... Sure wish he would stop with the hellish plastic surgery already!!🤪 I have yet to see anyone who looks better, and most look pretty awful, especially Stallone. Another example, Dirty Dancing Jennifer Grey looks okay now, but getting a “goy” nose ruined her uniqueness and her career,imho. The list goes on. Joan Rivers RIP. The uglier actors get for all their surgical/chemical tampering, We the Peasants may welcome pretty AI people in the not too distant future.
How would a multi-tour Vietnam green beret explain that physique?
The guys in the bush were lean, even skinny, not buffed.
Rocky 38 was my favorite!!
So he’ll look younger than he was in Rambo 1st Blood?
People will know it’s AI. He will be too articulate.
j/k
😂
I like the idea of prequel.
Yo Adrian.
He’s referencing Get Carter as failing because of the original. Stallone’s Get Carter was a dud in its own right.
RAMBO 5000....
Using AI to show something that is not real seems like...let’s say, not the best way to go. AI seems like a poor way to go in an unrealistic manner that might soon expand to real-life situations. That could make for serious problems. I’m not all-knowledgeable about AI, but it seems like it could be dangerous...and quite expensive. That kind of stuff will not be accepted in a court case, will it?
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