Quincy Isaiah is stepping into action franchise territory.
The Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty actor has joined the cast of John Rambo, Lionsgate’s upcoming origin-story prequel centered on the iconic action hero. Production is officially underway in Bangkok, Thailand.
Starring Noah Centineo in the title role, John Rambo is set years before the events of First Blood, exploring the early experiences that shaped John J. Rambo long before the character became a pop culture staple originated by Sylvester Stallone.
Isaiah joins an ensemble that includes Yao (Sinners), Jason Tobin (A Thousand Blows), Jefferson White (Yellowstone), and Tayme Thapthimthong (The White Lotus).
The film is directed by Jalmari Helander (Sisu), who described the project as a deeply personal return to the character’s beginnings.
“When I was eleven, I saw First Blood for the first time, and it changed my life,” Helander said in a statement. “Rambo wasn’t just a film to me — it stayed with me growing up and was a defining influence on why I wanted to become a filmmaker.
As we begin production on the origin of John Rambo, we’re going back to the beginning. This is Rambo stripped down, raw, and real — a survival story about endurance, persistence, and lost innocence. It’s an honor to shape this next chapter with deep respect for the character and the legacy, and to bring audiences the start of John Rambo’s journey.”
Filming will take place across Thailand, including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Kanchanaburi.
The screenplay is written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani. Producers include Kevin King Templeton and Les Weldon, Jonathan Yunger for Millennium Media, and Michael Disco and Angela Russo-Otstot for AGBO, with Anthony Russo and Joe Russo serving as executive producers. The film will be released theatrically by Lionsgate.