Principal photography has commenced in Thailand on the highly anticipated prequel film ‘John Rambo,’ directed by Jalmari Helander and produced by a collaboration between Lionsgate, Millennium Media and AGBO.

The project, which reimagines the formative years of the legendary action hero during the Vietnam War, began shooting across multiple Thai locations including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga and Kanchanaburi.

American actor Noah Centineo leads the cast in the title role, portraying a younger John Rambo before the events of the original 1982 film ‘First Blood,’ anchoring this departure point for one of cinema’s most iconic action characters.

The screenplay, crafted by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani — known for their work on major dramatic and action films — is designed to explore the experiences that shaped Rambo’s survival instincts and moral code.

Production executives, including Anthony and Joe Russo through AGBO, are backing the film alongside Lionsgate, which holds global distribution rights, and Millennium Media.

Helander, the Finnish filmmaker behind the critically praised action feature ‘Sisu,’ has expressed a distinct vision for this chapter of the franchise, aiming to balance visceral action with emotional depth.

Shooting in Thailand provides diverse landscapes that convincingly evoke Southeast Asian terrain appropriate to the prequel’s setting, while also offering logistical advantages for large-scale production.

As cameras roll, the film represents both a fresh creative direction for the Rambo saga and a landmark moment in contemporary action cinema, combining seasoned international talent with Thailand’s vibrant production infrastructure.