John Rambo, a prequel to the original First Blood, is now in the works. Millennium Media, the team behind action films such as The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Hellboy (2019), and The Expendables films, has announced the film at the Cannes market. The film is set to be directed by Jalmari Helander (Sisu, Big Game) and written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam). It is set to begin filming in October. Casting has yet to begin for the film, but as of right now Sylvester Stallone is not attached to the film in any capacity.

The plot for the film has not been revealed yet, the only details being that it will follow Rambo before the events of First Blood while he navigates Vietnam. When asked about the project, Millennium Media president Jonathan Yunger said, “We are thrilled to introduce a fresh new chapter to the Rambo legacy. This project is a tribute to one of the best franchises in movie history that will appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences alike. With Jalmari Helander at the helm — a filmmaker of exceptional vision and energy — we’ve found the perfect director to deliver a high-concept action-packed experience.”

Director Jalmari Helander also added, “I have been the biggest fan of Rambo since the age of 11. It is so surreal to be in a situation where I can actually make my own Rambo movie. The chain of events that got me here makes, in a fantastic way, my whole childhood make sense. I can’t wait to bring the greatest action hero back to the big screen where he belongs.” Helander also has Sisu 2 coming out later this year, which he wrote and directed.

The last film in the franchise, Rambo: Last Blood, was also produced by Millennium Media and was distributed by Lionsgate. It released in 2019 and grossed $91.5 million worldwide. This will be first Rambo film released without Stallone as the lead, so it will be interesting to see if the franchise can survive without him.