Sylvester Stallone returns as Rambo in Entertainment One and Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films’ TV series created by feature writer Jeb Stuart. Focusing on Rambo and his son, this show has Entertainment One’s support.
Colonel Samuel Trautman (Richard Crenna) recruits Rambo for an important mission, setting off an endless series of explosions, dudes being shot with arrows, manly grunting punctuated with blood spray, and explosive violence.
First Blood
First Blood was released as the inaugural film in the Rambo franchise and stars Sylvester Stallone as John James Rambo, an ex-Green Beret who is adept in survival techniques, weaponry, hand-to-hand combat and guerrilla warfare. Written and directed by Ted Kotcheff from David Morrell’s 1972 novel of the same name; its success led to four further movies as well as novels, comic books and video games being created based on this concept.
The original film grossed more than $160 million worldwide against its $15 million budget, becoming one of the highest grossing box office hits ever and setting new standards for action films. Due to this success, other studios attempted to replicate it but none has achieved the same level of box office or critical success as its original.
First Blood is best-known for its iconic lead character; however, its story is both realistic and thought-provoking. The film depicts a Vietnam veteran returning home after wartime only to discover that his country has neglected the needs of its citizens while leaving him out in the cold – this storyline is further deepened by an array of secondary characters who each contribute something unique and captivating to its overall depth and resonance.
Stallone would then go on to star in all three other Rambo movies and write the screenplays for all five films in the franchise; additionally, he directed Rambo: First Blood Part II as director and served as executive producer on Rambo III as executive producer. Furthermore, other media like an animated series and video games have come from his franchise.
The forthcoming TV series will pay homage to the films while expanding on characters and their relationships. J.R. will add further dimension to the storyline; produced by eOne in partnership with Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films with Stallone set to reprise his role of Rambo. Production team details have yet to be confirmed but Stallone is in talks about reprise his role on screen.
Second Blood
The second film in the franchise, Rambo: First Blood is more of a direct sequel than anything else; yet still manages to add its own distinct flavour. Action sequences remain thrilling with Rambo cutting through crowds of men and attacking entire bases; though some cheesy dialogue and paper-thin characters might disappoint some viewers, fans of the series should enjoy this enjoyable flick that features terrific action sequences with fantastic scoring by Jerry Goldsmith completing it all nicely.
Rambo and J.R. must rescue Professor Ivanovich before it’s too late from being pursued by General Warhawk and Talinian Special Police leader Zared. To save him before time runs out.
The third film in the John Rambo franchise continues his fight for freedom. In it, terrorists attempt to seize control of an U.S. nuclear base but are foiled by Teasle (Richard Crenna), who shoots it down and escapes before it crashes back down on them. Colonel Samuel Trautman contacts Rambo but he declines; instead CIA sent drones after him; when these attempted kill him off Rambo killed all but captured their commander; shooting down any additional drones that attempted kill him before leaving behind a note for Sarah which said “Love always”. This movie earned four Razzie Awards including Worst Picture as well as video game adaptations available on ZX Spectrum Amstrad CPC and Commodore 64 consoles.
Third Blood
Sylvester Stallone reprised his iconic role of Rambo for this third and final film of the franchise, the only one featuring music by composer Jerry Goldsmith. Rambo and Turbo team up to save a scientist who has developed a formula which could lead to a powerful new weapon from attack by General Warhawk and Talinian Secret Police leader Gripper – but when these agents target this scientist they must go undercover as soon as possible in order to protect him.
Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, The Fugitive), together with Millennium Films’ Avi Lerner are producing the Rambo TV series for Millennium Films. While Stallone may not take on the title role himself, sources indicate he will still remain involved with this project; after his strong debut of Creed earlier this year, reps are encouraging him to remain physically fit so they can do some stunt work himself. This show pays homage to Rambo films but adds new storylines including J.R. Rambo (former Navy SEAL). Additionally it will feature fictional countries and characters along with trademark violence that fans expect from these productions.
Fourth Blood
Following the success of his Rocky offshoot Creed, Sylvester Stallone is expanding another of his most iconic film franchises into television with Rambo: Son of Rambo for eOne and Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films. Written by Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, The Fugitive), this TV show pays homage to both films while adding new elements into its narrative arc.
Rambo lives with Turbo’s Uncle Oliver in rural Colorado town where he and his team respond to reports of an attack by an unidentified swamp monster, only for it to turn out that this creature was actually an underground military vehicle operated by Sergeants Havoc and Gripper as part of General Warhawk’s plans to gain control of all world defense satellites.
Rambo has joined forces with former rocket scientist Kris Kaufman, now making toys for an orphanage. However, when his group travels to Talinia to save an injured professor they discover they have been targeted by General Warhawk and Talinian secret police who want a formula from them that could enable S.A.V.A.G.E to develop powerful new superweapons – so Rambo finds himself going up against both government agents and Mad Dog’s biker gang.
