John Rambo is officially heading back to theaters — but this time, the legend is being rebuilt from the ground up.

Lionsgate has set a release date for John Rambo, the upcoming origin story prequel that will explore the early life of one of cinema’s most iconic action characters. The film is now slated to hit theaters on June 4, 2027.

At the center of the new film is Noah Centineo, stepping into the role of a young Rambo. Known for his rise in teen dramas and his upcoming appearance in Street Fighter, Centineo is now taking on one of action cinema’s most physically and emotionally demanding roles.

Joining him is David Harbour (Stranger Things) as Major Trautman, Rambo’s commanding officer and mentor figure.

Unlike the explosive sequels that defined the franchise, John Rambo rewinds the clock entirely, taking audiences back years before First Blood.

The film will explore the experiences that shaped Rambo into the hardened, emotionally fractured survivalist fans know today — digging into his origins, trauma, and transformation into a one-man fighting force.

This is not the Rambo of full-scale warfare yet. This is the beginning.

The film is directed by Jalmari Helander (Rare Exports, Sisu), a filmmaker known for gritty, survival-driven action and stylized violence.

The screenplay comes from Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam, The Mauritanian), with Lionsgate handling theatrical distribution.

Centineo is joined by a supporting cast that includes 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).

Director Jalmari Helander has described the project as a return to the emotional core of the franchise, inspired by his own childhood experience watching First Blood.

“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.”

He added that the new film will strip the character down to his most essential elements.

“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.”

With John Rambo aiming to redefine the origin of a cinematic icon, Lionsgate looks set to reintroduce the character to a new generation — long before the jungle wars, long before the explosions, and long before the myth.

This is where the legend begins.

And survival is the only mission.