The fifth and touted to be the last installment to the very successful Rambo franchise of Sylvester Stallone now has an official title.
Stallone made the announcement via Twitter on December 28, 2014 where he said that the official title of the upcoming Rambo movie is “Rambo: Last Blood.”
The first movie of the franchise was titled “First Blood” based on the 1972 novel of David Morrell with the same title. So it is just fitting to end the franchise with such a title, movie fans note.
Prior to Sly’s tweet, Variety reported that speculations were swirling around for several months already as regards the official title of the fifth Rambo movie.
The last Rambo movie, titled simply as “John Rambo” was shown in January 2008 and has earned $113 million worldwide. It showed the Vietnam veteran taking on the Burmese military junta and left with no choice but to rescue several people who slipped into the country via Thailand.
After the fourth Rambo film, Fox News reported that Stallone has since talked about retiring the character for good or bringing John Rambo back for one last hurrah. Obviously, he picked the second option.
Apart from reprising the role of John Rambo for the fifth and final time, Stallone will also be writing and directing “Rambo: Last Blood.”
Incidentally, the action star’s tweet on December 28 also mentioned about another film project after “Rambo: Last Blood.” He disclosed that he will also be filming a gangster biopic of Gregory or Greg “the Grim Reaper” Scarpa after completing shooting for the fifth Rambo movie.
Cast and plot
Except for himself as the lead actor, the writer, and director, Stallone has not yet made any other announcement as regards the cast of the upcoming “Rambo: Last Blood.”
In terms of storyline, it is expected that the movie will be patterned after the first four Rambo movies. John Rambo or his friend getting the raw end of an abusive authority that would eventually force the Vietnam vet to fight back.
Reviving another film franchise
Speaking of successful movie franchise, Variety also reported that Sylvester Stallone will be reviving another blockbuster film franchise beginning this January.
In yet another tweet, Stallone said that he is going to Philadelphia to play Rocky Balboa for the seventh time and the movie shall be titled “Creed.” To be directed by Ryan Coogler, Stallone will play the role of Rocky Balboa as trainer of Apollo Creed’s grandson, to be played by Michael B. Jordan.
Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers, is Rocky Balboa’s ring nemesis in “Rocky I” and “Rocky II.” Apollo and Rocky became friends in “Rocky III” but the character died after fighting Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T, which gave Balboa the revenge impetus.
Coogler also directed Michael B. Jordan in the critically-acclaimed movie “Fruitvale Station” back in 2013.