Sylvester Stallone says he once pitched a bold idea for a Rambo prequel — using AI to digitally de-age himself into an 18-year-old John Rambo.
Appearing on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy podcast, Stallone explained his vision: “Everyone thought I was crazy. AI is sophisticated enough to go through Saigon to see him at 18 years old and basically use the same image. So it isn’t as big a stretch.”
While a Rambo origin story is already in the works with Noah Centineo set to star — and without Stallone’s involvement — he admitted it won’t be easy for anyone else to fill the role. “It’s very, very hard,” Stallone said. “He may do a stellar job, but you’re overcoming this because I went through it with Get Carter. Everyone loves the original, and then you’re always fighting that prejudice.”
Stallone also weighed in on I Play Rocky, the upcoming Peter Farrelly drama about the making of his breakthrough classic. Anthony Ippolito has been cast as the young Stallone, something the star admitted caught him off guard. “I was shocked to read [about] it. I have zero to do with it. Since I lived it, I thought I might be able to participate and give them some insight.”
Beyond Hollywood reimaginings of his legacy, Stallone is telling his own story in his memoir The Steps, due May 5. The book chronicles his early struggles in New York and his Oscar-winning triumph with Rocky in 1977, while revisiting decades of iconic roles.
On the small screen, Stallone returns this weekend as mob boss Dwight Manfredi in Tulsa King, with season 3 premiering Sept. 21 and season 4 already confirmed.
