Sylvester Stallone

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Development history shows Stallone's fluctuating commitment to the character. In March 2008, he revealed he was "half-way through" writing Rambo V, intending it not to be another war movie. By August 2009, the plot focused on battling human traffickers, but in September 2009, Stallone announced a shift toward a genetically engineered creature hunt titled Rambo V: The Savage Hunt, based loosely on James Byron Huggins' novel Hunter. This concept was abandoned by November 2009, reverting to the border rescue story. In May 2010, he claimed he was "done" with Rambo, comparing the character's arc to Rocky Balboa. Yet in June 2014, he resumed writing a script similar to No Country for Old Men. By September 2014, the official title became Rambo: Last Blood, though Stallone did not direct; Adrian Grünberg took the helm. Contrary to some reports, David Morrell—author of the original novel First Blood—had no credited involvement in writing the film.

In Their Own Story

The narrative follows John Rambo living at his father's horse ranch in Bowie, Arizona, with Maria Beltran and her granddaughter Gabriela. When Gabriela travels to Mexico to find her deadbeat father Manuel, she is drugged and kidnapped by a Mexican cartel. Rambo rushes to Mexico, interrogating Manuel and Gizelle before confronting the enforcer El Flaco. He is beaten and marked by brothers Hugo and Victor Martinez, who recognize his connection to Gabriela. After being cared for by journalist Carmen Delgado, Rambo raids a brothel to find Gabriela, but she dies from heroin overdose during the rescue. Enraged, Rambo rigs his ranch with booby traps. He returns to Mexico with Carmen's help to kill Victor by decapitation. Back at the ranch, he kills Hugo and the hitmen sent after him using traps and a Bowie knife, finally ripping out Hugo's heart.

Reader's Guide

Production began in May 2018 with Adrian Grünberg attached to direct. Principal photography started on October 2, 2018, in Bulgaria, originally scheduled for September or late 2014. Barraza filmed scenes in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Shooting wrapped on December 4, 2018, with additional photography in May 2019. The film grossed $91.5 million worldwide against a $50 million production budget and $30 million in print/advertisement costs. Critics gave negative reviews citing the script, graphic violence, and perceived racist attitudes toward Mexico, though action sequences and Stallone's performance received praise. Brian Tyler returned to score the film, creating themes of loss and vengeance using lush strings and thunderous percussion. A prequel titled John Rambo is currently in production.

Did You Know?

• Stallone expressed uncertainty about serving as director when the film was re-announced in May 2018.
• In October 2015, Stallone pitched a prequel idea titled John Rambo to explore how the character became who he is.
• Principal photography was originally scheduled for September 1, 2018, and previously planned for October 27, 2014, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
• The film's plot initially focused on a genetically engineered creature hunt before reverting to the human trafficking storyline by November 2009.
• Louis Mandylor and Aaron Cohen appeared in the opening scene of the extended cut as the Sheriff and State Police Captain.