Last month, there have been reports that Sylvester Stallone has decided on not pushing for the filming of “Rambo 5.”
It was actually Stallone who announced late in 2014 that the fifth installment to the iconic “Rambo” action franchise was a go and that he was already undergoing training early last year in preparation for filming for “Rambo 5.” He even announced the title of the fifth movie as “Rambo: Last Blood,” to give the character its fitting closure, reports Variety.
However, in between filming for the “Rocky” spinoff film “Creed” and winning the Best Supporting Actor award during the 2016 Golden Globe early this year, Stallone seems to have a change of heart.
In an interview, Stallone said that the heart is willing but the body says stay home. He compares doing “Rambo 5” to fighters that go back for one last round and get clobbered. He said that he would rather leave it to someone else, notes the Den of Geek.
Rambo on TV
Stallone was actually referring to the Rambo TV series, currently in production and will hit Fox in October 2016.
It has been reported that Fox has ordered a script for a one-hour drama based on the iconic Stallone movie franchise.
Although Stallone would not star in the TV series, he will come in as executive producer along with Avi Lerner. The TV show will actually pay homage to the movies and it is tentatively titled “Rambo: New Blood.”
The small screen version of “Rambo” will explore the complex relationship between Rambo and his son J.R., who is also an ex-Navy SEAL.
There is also a huge possibility that Stallone might reprise his role of the former Green Beret on the TV series but as of now, nothing has been officially decided.
It would be a good strategy since CBS already proved it with the network adaptation of the Bradley cooper movie “Limitless.” The TV series of the same title earned high ratings in episodes where the “American Sniper” actor was featured.
In terms of promotions, “Rambo 5” will certainly get good media mileage on the small screen with the TV series especially when it starts airing next year. The TV series shall certainly build the hype for the fifth film and it would sure add to its almost guaranteed blockbuster success.
Possible change of mind?
Because of the critical success of “Creed,” reports now have it that Sylvester Stallone and Director Ryan Coogler are looking into the possible development of “Creed 2.”
In “Creed,” Stallone reprised his role as Rocky Balboa to teach the son of his good friend Apollo Creed how to box and be a champion like his father was.
Ironically, it was during the first “Rocky” film shown in 1976 when Stallone was recognized by the Oscars for his acting. He is currently nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the Academy Awards slated this coming weekend and if he wins an Oscars, it will come exactly 40 years after his first award from the body.
Stallone may have a change of heart over “Rambo 5” since at his age of 69 years old, he should be focusing on acting vehicles rather than action films. That is probably the reason why there were also reports that came out that he was having second thoughts about reprising his Barney Ross character in “The Expendables 4.”
The only way he can be recognized by critics for his acting depth is if he is taking on such roles as Rocky Balboa and that is why he wants to do “Creed 2.”
However, should he fails to win an Oscars for Best Supporting Actor this weekend, it is likely that it would propel Stallone to just focus on doing what he does best – action movies, rather than concentrate on acting where the chance of being honored is very slim, according to latest rumors.
But based on latest reports from the award grapevine, it seems that Stallone is a shoo-in for the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars so that would surely keep “Rambo 5” dead and gone for good.
Going back to “Rambo 5,” Stallone said last month that he is already happy with where the fourth film, simply titled as “John Rambo,” left off and realized that there was nothing more to do with the character.