There have been talks of a new Rambo for quite some time, and it looks like the project is one step closer to reality. Deadline has reported that Millennium Films will be launching sales on the project in Cannes, while aiming for a shoot date this coming September. Sylvester Stallone is working on the script, and he might also direct. This is what the plot has been described as:
In the fifth episode of the franchise, when the daughter of one of his friends is kidnapped, Rambo, who has been working on a ranch, crosses the U.S.-Mexican border and quickly finds himself up against the full might of one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.
I’m honestly rather mixed on this news, and it’s not for lack of enthusiasm for the franchise, I consider First Blood and the 2008 Rambo to be absolute classics of the genre, and the other two installments to be dopey fun. And if you asked me a couple years ago that Stallone will do a follow up to the bloody madness of the 2008 film, I would be ecstatic.
But thinking upon it now, I just don’t see the need for this film at this point in time. Given the allegations that came out against Stallone (yes, I’m aware the Daily Mail isn’t the most reliable news source and not much has been heard about this since, but they did provide a seemingly legit police report), and his Trump support, it has me worried as to how those views will color the project. I know that won’t be a deal breaker for most people, but it is tempering my expectations. And yes, the politics of the early First Blood sequels are also politically problematic, but I don’t think now is a good time to make a film that would satisfy the “build the wall” crowd.
Admittedly, it is pretty early to get worked up about this. Who knows whether this will even come about. So, for now I’ll try my best to optimistic and see where this goes.