Early this year, Sylvester Stallone has said that he will no longer be doing “Rambo 5.” The latest statement from the veteran Hollywood action star was in direct contrast to his pronouncement made late in 2014 where he revealed that the fifth installment of his iconic franchise is already a go.
In fact, there were even reports at that time that Stallone was already writing the script for the latest sequel of the popular and successful franchise and the movie shall have a working title of “Rambo: Last Blood,” which is quite a fitting and conclusive title since the first movie of the series was titled “First Blood,” notes the Lawyer Herald.
The actor’s turnaround may have something to do with the critically-acclaimed film “Creed.” He was so deep and good in his acting in the movie where he reprised his Rocky Balboa role that critics noticed him. It was then that Stallone may have realized that he can be good in a movie without going into so much action.
At 69 years of age, the actor is already concerned about how much his body can still take and withstand in those high-octane action scenes.
While his heart and mind are obviously willing, the body can only take so much and being one year short of 70, nobody will fault Stallone if he finally gives up doing action films.
Leaving it to someone else
In an interview early this year, Stallone confirmed that the fourth film on Rambo released in 2008 titled “John Rambo” was the last go-round for the character.
He said that he does not want to be like aging fighters who go back to the ring for one last round and gets clobbered in the process. He says that he will be leaving it to someone else, details The Wall Street Journal.
Stallone said that there is nothing more to pull out from the series and that he was very satisfied that the fourth Rambo film dealt with the Burmese situation, describing it as having one foot in a current event then, which was the longest civil war in history.
The veteran action star said that there is really nothing left. He said that when he was asked to do another “Rambo” movie, he said that if he can’t do better than what he did the last time, there is no use for doing another sequel. He believes that he cannot do any better than “Rambo 4” that is why he would no longer do a “Rambo 5.”
Stallone also said that he is willing to give the mantle of the iconic Rambo character to someone who is willing to take on the challenge.
A big shoe to fill in
It seems that Stallone is issuing a challenge to young action stars who may be willing to step into the plate but that someone really have a big shoe to fill in.
When he mentioned that he would rather leave the character to someone else, however, Stallone did not mean some newbie action star pitching on his behalf to do “Rambo 5.” What he meant most likely is the Rambo TV series, currently in production and will hit Fox in October this year.
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 reportedly 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.