Actor Sylvester Stallone shares a behind-the-scenes look at Rambo V: Last Blood. On Instagram, the iconic action star posted a brief video clip about the franchise film’s production. Rambo V: Last Blood is scheduled for a Sept. 20 release.
Based on David Morrell’s 1972 novel First Blood, the Rambo franchise features Stallone as John Rambo, a Vietnam veteran who lives by his own societal code. The first installment, First Blood, was directed by Ted Kotcheff and significantly out-earned its $15 million budget with a $125 million theatrical haul. The film premiered approximately five months after Rocky III, in which Stallone reprised his famous boxing character role. For George P. Cosmatos’ sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II, the production budget increased to $25 million, with the film earning over $300 million worldwide. After Rambo III premiered in 1988, the fourth installment wouldn’t release for another two decades. In the ‘80s, the Rambo franchise established Stallone as a premiere action star, thus aligning with him fellow blockbuster icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. Last October, the fifth Rambo film received its official title.
On Instagram, Stallone posted a Rambo-themed video with the caption “A handmade film like the 1st one ... BLOOD SWEAT TEARS And working with fantastic actors! Sept 20 #rambo5.” In the clip, Stallone’s John Rambo crafts a hand-made pitchfork and appears to sharpen a knife. Director Adrian Grunberg can then be heard calling “Action!” for a scene in which Rambo shoots a machine gun at an unknown target. In a subsequent pan shot, the camera reveals a sequence set-up. Near the end of Stallone’s clip, John Rambo holds a bow and arrow, with the cinematographer framing the shot. Next, an overhead visual provides a different angle as Stallone holds the same pose and then fires. Overall, there’s little dialogue or character interaction, but the video does indeed emphasize John Rambo’s Do-It-Yourself approach. Check out Stallone's Instagram post below.
Over the past 10 years, there’s been much speculation about Rambo 5. By 2011, a film called “The Last Stand” appeared to be moving forward, and Stallone then teased a storyline in March 2012. After two more years of speculation, Stallone confirmed his intent to make Rambo 5, only the production then fell apart by late 2015. However, Rambo 5 picked up steam in 2018, and steady production news has been releasing ever since. Filming ended for Rambo V: Last Blood in December 2018, and Stallone has been actively promoting the movie on Instagram.
Given the up and down nature of Rambo V: Last Blood, Stallone fans may be concerned about a flimsy or unstructured plot. But the film's narrative does appear to align with past rescue-themed storylines, as John Rambo will attempt to save a teenage acquaintance from the Mexican cartel. Whereas a series like Narcos: Mexico effectively examines the structure of the Mexican cartel, hopefully Rambo V: Last Blood will similarly balance the character bravado with smart and informed storytelling.
Sources: Sylvester Stallone
