David Harbour, the acclaimed actor best known for his role as Jim Hopper in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, has officially joined the cast of the highly anticipated Rambo origin story film titled John Rambo. Harbour will portray Major Trautman, the commanding officer of the iconic character John Rambo, in this new action feature that serves as a prequel to the 1982 classic First Blood.
Noah Centineo Takes on the Iconic Role
The film will star Noah Centineo, the 29-year-old actor who gained fame through the To All The Boys romantic comedy franchise and more recently appeared in Netflix's The Recruit. Centineo will play the younger version of the Vietnam veteran who uses his combat experience to battle corrupt police officers and dangerous drug cartels, establishing the foundation for the character made legendary by Sylvester Stallone.
Supporting Cast and Creative Team
Directed by Jalmari Helander, the film features an impressive ensemble cast including Filipino-Malaysian actor Yao, who made his Hollywood debut in Ryan Coogler's Oscar-winning 2025 film Sinners. Also appearing are A Thousand Blows star Jason Tobin, Yellowstone actor Jefferson White, and Tayme Thapthimthong, best recognized for his role as Gaitok in season three of The White Lotus.
The project marks Harbour's return to major franchise filmmaking following his departure from Tony Gilroy's drama Behemoth! earlier this year, where he was scheduled to star alongside Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde. Harbour currently appears in the dark comedy mini-series DTF St Louis and will reprise his role as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian in the upcoming Marvel blockbuster Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in December.
Rambo's Cinematic Legacy
Sylvester Stallone originated the role of John Rambo in five films spanning nearly four decades, beginning with First Blood in 1982 and continuing through Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Rambo III (1988), Rambo (2008), and Rambo: Last Blood (2019). This new origin story aims to explore the character's early years and military background, providing fresh context for one of cinema's most enduring action heroes.
According to the film's official logline, the plot follows a musician from a family of musicians who returns to Los Angeles, described as a love letter to movie music and its creators. However, the primary narrative will focus on Rambo's formative experiences and the relationships that shaped him into the character audiences have followed for generations.
