Rambo V: Last Blood

Rambo: Last Blood is an upcoming American action thriller film directed by Adrian Grunberg, from a script by Sylvester Stallone and Matt Cirulnick. It is the fifth installment in the Rambo franchise and stars Stallone as John Rambo in his final portrayal of the character.

Plans for a fifth film were announced on and off again since 2008 until production finally began in October 2018, with Grunberg directing the film. Principal photography began in October 2018 in Bulgaria and wrapped in December 2018. Rambo: Last Blood is scheduled to be released on September 20, 2019.

Premise
Rambo travels to Mexico to save a friend's daughter who has been kidnapped by the Mexican cartel.

Cast

 * Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo:
 * Adriana Barraza as Maria:
 * Paz Vega as Carmen Delgado:
 * Yvette Monreal as Gabrielle:
 * Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Hugo Martinez:
 * Oscar Jaenada
 * Joaquín Cosío

Development
In February 2008, Sylvester Stallone revealed that making a fifth film would depend on the success of the fourth film, stating he was "gearing one up" and that it would "be quite different". In March 2008, Stallone revealed he was "half-way through" writing Rambo V, stating that it would not be another war movie, with Bulgaria being considered to double as Rambo's home in Arizona. In February 2009, Stallone revealed that he's proceeding with the fifth film but stated, "the conflict is whether to do it in America or a foreign country".

In August 2009, Millennium Films green-lit the film with Stallone writing, directing and starring. At that time, the plot focused on Rambo battling human traffickers and drug lords to rescue a young girl abducted near the U.S.-Mexico border. In September 2009, Stallone revealed that the film would be titled Rambo V: The Savage Hunt. The film would have been loosely based on Hunter by James Byron Huggins and would have focused on Rambo leading an elite special forces kill team to hunt and kill a genetically engineered creature. Nu Image/Millennium Films released a poster and synopsis for The Savage Hunt. In November 2009, it was reported that the plot had reverted to Rambo crossing the Mexican border to rescue a girl who had been kidnapped.

In May 2010, Stallone revealed he was "done" with the character, stating, "I think Rambo’s pretty well done. I don’t think there’ll be any more. I’m about 99% sure, I was going to do it... but I feel that with Rocky Balboa, that character came complete circle. He went home. But for Rambo to go on another adventure might be, I think, misinterpreted as a mercenary gesture and not necessary. I don’t want that to happen." At the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Millennium Films and Nu Image advertised Rambo V with posters and handouts. Following an interview with Stallone for Ain't It Cool News, in which the director expressed his desire to end the franchise, Harry Knowles reported that "He then told me that the folks behind those posters essentially said that if Sly didn't do it - someone else would. And Sly seems fine with that."

In 2011, Sean Hood was hired to write a new script titled Rambo: Last Stand that Hood described was "more in line with the small-town thriller of First Blood". In 2012, Hood revealed that Rambo V was on hold while Stallone finishes The Expendables 2. Hood also revealed his uncertainty whether the film will be similar to Unforgiven or will be a passing-of-the-torch. In August 2013, it was announced that Entertainment One and Nu Image will develop and produce a Rambo TV series with Stallone.

In June 2014, German film company Splendid Films confirmed that Stallone had started writing the script for Rambo V, with Stallone describing it as his version of No Country for Old Men. In September 2014, it was revealed that the film will be titled Rambo: Last Blood, with Stallone directing the film.

In 2015, Stallone and Rambo creator David Morrell developed a story for Rambo V. Stallone wanted a "soulful journey" for the character that Morrell described as a "really emotional, powerful story". Stallone pitched the idea to the producers but they wanted to proceed with the human trafficking story instead, abandoning Stallone and Morrell's idea. In October 2015, Stallone pondered on the possibility of a prequel, stating, "It's intriguing to find the whys and wherefores of how people have become what they are. The traumas, the loss and the tragedy of being in Vietnam would certainly be a great challenge for a young actor, and it would be ironic that Rambo directs younger Rambo having played it for twenty years plus". In 2016, Sylvester Stallone revealed that Rambo V was no longer in production.

Pre-production
In May 2018, Rambo V was re-announced and was scheduled to begin filming in September with the plot focusing on Rambo taking on the Mexican drug cartel. Stallone confirmed to be co-writing the script with Matt Cirulnick, but seemed unlikely to direct. That same month, Stallone confirmed that the film is scheduled for a fall 2019 release. In August 2018, Adrian Grunberg was announced as the director. In September 2018, Adriana Barraza was added to the cast as Maria. In October 2018, Paz Vega, Yvette Monreal, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Oscar Jaenada, and Joaquín Cosío were cast in the film.

Filming
Principal photography began on October 2, 2018 in Bulgaria. It was previously scheduled to begin on September 1, 2018, and before that on October 27, 2014, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Barraza filmed her scenes in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Principal photography wrapped on December 4, 2018.

Marketing
In May 2018, Millennium Films brought the project to Cannes to generate interest and sales. Stallone verified that he would share images and videos from the film's set on his Instagram as the film approaches its release. In February 2019, Stallone revealed images on his Instagram of Rambo's adopted family, combat history, and the character Gabrielle's intentions to travel to Mexico to find her father. In March 2019, Stallone revealed via his Instagram an image of Rambo covered in blood and aiming his signature bow.

In May 2019, it was revealed that Stallone will present exclusive images at Cannes to coincide with a special "first-look" screening of the film at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès on May 24, 2019.

Release
Rambo: Last Blood is scheduled to be released on September 20, 2019. Dadi purchased the Mainland China distribution rights and agreed to an eight-figures co-financing deal.