Sylvester Stallone confirms James Franco will appear in 2027 Rambo prequel

Sylvester Stallone has decided to keep actor James Franco in the cast of a new Rambo film scheduled for release in June 2027. The movie, a prequel set during the Vietnam War, will be directed by Jalmari Helander and stars Noah Centineo as a young John Rambo alongside David Harbour as Colonel Trautman.

Franco, who faced multiple sexual‑misconduct allegations in 2018 and settled a civil case, has been largely absent from major productions. Stallone believes the franchise’s fan base will support the casting despite industry discomfort, with figures such as Seth Rogen expressing unease about the decision. The production team describes the film as aimed at long‑time Rambo fans rather than Hollywood elites.