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David Harbour Cast as Rambo's Commander in Prequel

4/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

David Harbour joins the cast of John Rambo, an origin story set before First Blood.
Noah Centineo stars as John Rambo, a Vietnam War soldier, with Jalmari Helander directing.
David Harbour plays Major Sam Trautman, Rambo's commanding officer, a role previously portrayed by Richard Crenna.
Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani wrote the screenplay.

History

Historical Context

Released in 1982, "First Blood" adapted David Morrell's 1972 novel about John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran struggling with reintegration into society. The film's portrayal of Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, resonated with audiences amid rising awareness of veterans' mental health issues. Its success, grossing $125 million, established a franchise that continues to influence narratives about war and its aftermath.

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Story summary

David Harbour joins the cast of John Rambo, an origin story set before First Blood.
Noah Centineo stars as John Rambo, a Vietnam War soldier, with Jalmari Helander directing.
David Harbour plays Major Sam Trautman, Rambo's commanding officer, a role previously portrayed by Richard Crenna.
Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani wrote the screenplay.

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