Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo Prequel Casts Controversial Star In Villain Role A controversial actor has joined the cast of the upcoming Rambo prequel, marking his return to major Hollywood projects after a prolonged hiatus. The film, which will feature James Franco as the younger version of the titular character, is set to explore the origins of John Rambo, the action hero portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in the five-film franchise spanning from 1982’s First Blood to 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood. Stallone, who serves as an executive producer on the project, has entrusted the direction to Jalmari Helander, known for his work on Sisu, with a screenplay co-written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, the latter also credited for Black Adam. Franco’s casting has sparked significant attention, as the actor’s involvement in the film coincides with ongoing scrutiny over his past behavior. The new Rambo movie represents Franco’s first major Hollywood role since the mid-2010s, when he appeared in Why Him? alongside Bryan Cranston and an uncredited role in Alien: Covenant. His most recent television work dates back to 2019, when he concluded his three-season run in the HBO drama The Deuce. Franco’s rise to stardom began with supporting roles in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, followed by a string of comedic projects, including Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, This Is the End, and The Interview. He also ventured into other genres with films like Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the survival thriller 127 Hours, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. However, his career took a turn in the late 2010s amid allegations of misconduct. The controversy escalated in 2014 when a 17-year-old girl shared screenshots of private messages from Franco, in which he had invited her to his hotel room.#sylvester_stallone #jalmari_helander #james_francos #rambo_prequel #sohrab_noshirvani
